FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
69 
sea-weed, pieces of wet turf in large quantities, mullein-stalks, 
and lined with dry sea-grass; the whole forming a mass very 
observable at half a mile’s distance, and large enough to fill a 
cart, and form no inconsiderable load for a horse. These ma- 
terials are so well put together, as often to adhere in large frag- 
ments after being blown down by the wind. My learned and 
obliging correspondent of New York, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, 
observes, that “A sort of superstition is entertained in regard 
to the Fish-Hawk. It has been considered a fortunate incident 
to have a nest, and a pair of these birds, on one’s farm. They 
have therefore been generally respected; and neither the axe 
nor the gun has been lifted against them. Their nest continues 
from year to year. The same couple, or another as the case 
may be, occupies it season after season. Repairs are duly made, 
or when demolished by storms it is industriously rebuilt. 
There was one of these nests, formerly, upon the leafless sum- 
mit of a venerable chesnut-tree on our farm, directly in front 
of the house, at the distance of less than half a mile. The 
withered trunk and boughs, surmounted by the coarse wrought 
and capacious nest, was a more picturesque object than an obe- 
lisk. And the flights of the Hawks as they went forth to hunt 
— returned with their game — exercised themselves in wheeling 
round and round and circling about it, were amusing to the be- 
holder almost from morning to night. The family of these 
Hawks, old and young, was killed by the Hessian Jagers. A 
succeeding pair took possession of the nest; but in the course 
of time, the prongs of the trunk so rotted away, that the nest 
could no longer be supported. The Hawks have been obliged 
to seek new quarters. We have lost this part of our prospect; 
and our trees have not afibrded a convenient site for one of their 
habitations since.” 
About the first of May the female Fish-Hawk begins to lay 
her eggs, which are commonly three in number, sometimes 
only two, and rarely four. They are somewhat larger than 
those of the common hen, and nearly of the same shape. The 
ground colour varies, in different eggs, from a reddish cream. 
