66 THE fish hawk, or osprey. 
them ox- a bonita-fish, after they had resumed their usual mode of swimming 
near the surface. 
The motions of the Fish Hawk in the air are graceful, and as majestic as 
those of the Eagle. It l-ises with ease to a great height by extensive circlings, 
performed apparently by mere inclinations of the wings and tail. It dives 
at times to some distance with the wings partially closed, and resumes its 
sailing, as if these plunges were made for amusement only. Its wings are 
extended at right angles to the body, and when thus flying it is easily distin- 
guishable from all other Hawks by the eye of an observer accustomed to 
note the flight of birds. Whilst in search of food, it flies with easy flappings 
at a moderate height above the water, and with an apparent listlessness, 
although in reality it is keenly observing the objects beneath. No sooner 
does it spy a. fish suited to its taste, than it checks its course with a sudden 
shake of its wings and tail, which gives it the appeai-ance of being poised in 
the air for a moment, after which it plunges headlong with great rapidity 
into the water, to secure its prey, or continues its flight, if disappointed by 
having obsei-ved the fish sink deeper. 
When it plunges into the water in pursuit of a fish, it sometimes proceeds 
deep enough to disappear for an instant. The surge caused by its descent is 
so great as to make the spot around it present the appearance of a mass of 
foam. On rising with its prey, it is seen holding it in the manner represented 
in the Plate. It mounts a few yards into the air, shakes the water from its 
plumage, squeezes the fish with its talons, and immediately proceeds towards 
its nest, to feed its young, or to a tree, to devour the fruit of its industry in 
peace. When it has satisfied its hungei-, it does not, like other Hawks, stay 
perched until hunger again ui-ges it forth, but usually sails about at a great 
height over the neighbouring watei-s. 
The Fish Hawk has a great attachment to the tree to which it carries its 
prey, and will not abandon it, unless frequently disturbed, or shot at whilst 
feeding there. It shews the same attachment to the tree on which it has 
built its fii-st nest, and returns to it year after year. 
This species winters along the southern coasts of theFloi'idas, andpi-oceeds 
eastward as the season advances. In the Middle Districts, the fishei-men hail 
its appearance with joy, as it is the harbinger of various species of fish which 
resort to the Atlantic coasts, or ascend the numerous rivers. It ari’ives in 
the Middle States about the beginning of April, and returns southward at 
the fii-st appearance of frost. I have occasionally seen a few of these birds 
on the muddy lakes of Louisiana, in the neighboui’hood of New Orleans, 
during the winter months ; but they appeared emaciated, and were pi-.obably 
unable to follow their natural inclinations, and proceed farther south. 
As soon as the females make their appearance, which happens eight or ten 
