FISII-IIAWK, OR OSPREY. 
53 
curiosity to go up to look at the eggs ; the bird clawed his face in a 
shocking manner ; his eye had a narrow escape. I am told that it has 
never been considered dangerous to approach a Hawk's nest. If this be 
so, this bird's character is peculiar ; his affection for his young, and his 
valiant opposition to an invasion of his nest, entitle him to conspicuous 
notice. He is the Prince of Fish-Hawks ; his character and his por- 
trait seem worthy of being handed to the historic muse. A Hawk more 
worthy of the honor which awaits him could not have been found. I 
hope no accident will happen to him, and that he may fully answer your 
purpose. " Yours, 
" Thomas Smith. 
" This morning the female was flying to and fro, making a mournful 
noise." 
The young of the Fish-Hawk are remarkable for remaining long in 
the nest before they attempt to fly. Mr. Smith's letter is dated June 
30th, at which time, he observes, they were as large as pullets, and full 
feathered. Seventeen days after, I myself ascended to this same Hawk's 
nest, where I found the two remaining young ones seeming full grown. 
They made no attempts to fly, though they both placed themselves in a 
stern posture of defence, as I examined them at my leisure. The female 
had procured a second helpmate ; but he did not seem to inherit the 
spirit of his predecessor, for like a true step-father, he left the nest at 
my approach, and sailed about at a safe distance with his mate, who 
showed great anxiety and distress during the whole of my visit. It ia 
universally asserted by the people of the neighborhood where these 
birds breed, that the young remain so long before they fly, that the pa- 
rents are obliged at last to compel them to shift for themselves, beating 
them with their wings, and driving them from the nest. But that they 
continue to assist them even after this, I know to be a fact from my 
own observation, as I have seen the young bird meet its parent in the 
air, and receive from him the fish he carried in his claws. 
The flight of the Fish-Hawk, his manceuvres while in search of fish, 
and his manner of seizing his prey, are deserving of particular notice. 
In leaving the nest he usually flies direct till he comes to the sea, then 
sails around in easy curving lines, turning sometimes in the air as on a 
pivot, apparently Avitliout the least exertion, rarely moving the wings, 
his legs extended in a straight line behind, and his remarkable length 
and curvature or bend of wins;, distinauishine; him from all other Hawks. 
The height at which he thus elegantly glides is various, from one hun- 
dred to one hundred and fifty, and two hundred feet, sometimes much 
higher, all the while calmly reconnoitring the face of the deep below. 
Suddenly he is seen to check his course, as if struck by a particular 
object, which he seems to survey for a few moments with such steadiness 
