22 



FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 



with them, as in the best regulated communities, instances of at- 

 tack and robbery occur among themselves, yet these instances are 

 extremely rare. Mr. Gardiner observes that they are sometimes 

 seen high in the air, sailing and cutting strange gambols with loud 

 vociferations, darting down several hundred feet perpendicular, fre- 

 quently with part of a fish in one claw, which they seem proud of, 

 and to claim high hook as the fishermen call him who takes the 

 greatest number. On these occasions they serve as a barometer 

 to foretel the changes of the atmosphere ; for when the Fish-Hawks 

 are seen thus, sailing high in air, in circles, it is universally be- 

 lieved to prognosticate a change of weather, often a thunder storm, 

 in a few hours. On the faith of the certainty of these signs, the 

 experienced coaster wisely prepares for the expected storm, and is 

 rarely mistaken. 



There is one singular trait in the character of this bird, which 

 was mentioned in treating of the Purple Grakle, and which I have 

 since had many opportunities of witnessing. The Grakles, or Crow^ 

 Blackbirds, are permitted by the Fish-Hawk to build their nests 

 among the interstices of the sticks of which his own is constructed. 

 Several pair of Grakles taking up their abode there, like humble 

 vassals around the castle of their chief, laying, hatching their young, 

 and living together in mutual harmony. I have found no less than 

 four of these nests clustered around the sides of the former, and a 

 fifth fixed on the nearest branch of the adjoining tree; as if the pro- 

 prietor of this last, unable to find an unoccupied corner on the pre- 

 mises, had been anxious to share as much as possible the company 

 and protection of this generous bird. 



The Fish-Hawk is twenty-two inches in length, and five feet 

 three inches in extent; the bill is deep black, the upper as well as 

 lower cere (for the base of the lower mandible has a loose move- 

 able skin) and also the sides of the mouth, from the nostrils back- 

 wards, are light blue; crown and hind head pure white, front streak- 

 ed with brown ; through the eye a bar of dark blackish brown passes 



