THE EISH HAWK, OR OSPREY. 
69 
and Fish Hawks come to participate in the spoil. Except in such places, 
and on such occasions, I have not observed the Fish Hawk to eat of any 
other prey than that which it had procured by plunging headlong into the 
water after it. 
I have frequently heard it asserted that the Fish Hawk is sometimes drawn 
under the water and drowned, when it has attempted to seize a fish which is 
too strong for it, and that some of these birds have been found sticking by 
their talons to the back of sturgeons and other large fishes. But, as nothing 
of this kind ever came under my observation, I am unable to. corroborate 
these reports. The roosting place of this bird is generally on the top 
branches of the tree on which its nest is placed, or of one close to it. 
Fish Hawks are very plentiful on the coast of New Jersey, near Great 
Egg Harbour, where I have seen upwards of fifty of their nests in the course 
of a day’s walk, and where I have shot several in the course of a morning. 
When wounded, they defend themselves in the manner usually exhibited by 
Hawks, erecting the feathers of the head, and trying to strike with their 
powerful talons and bill, whilst they remain prostrate on their back. 
The largest fish which I have seen this bird take out of the water, was 
a weak-fish , such as is represented in the plate, but sufficiently large to 
weigh more than five pounds. The bird carried it into the air with diffi- 
culty, and dx-opped it, on hearing the report of a shot fired at it. 
Fish Hawk, Falco Haliaetus , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. v. p. 13. 
Falco Haliaetus, Bonap. Syn., p. 26. 
Fish Hawk or Osprey, Falco Haliaetus , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 415; vol. v. p. 362. 
Bill brownish-black, blue at the base and margin ; cere light blue. Iris 
yellow. Feet pale greyish-blue, tinged with brown ; claws black. The 
general colour of the upper parts is dusky brown, the tail barred with 
pale brown. The upper part of the head and neck white, the middle 
part of the crown dark brown. A broad band of the latter colour from 
the bill down the side of the neck on each side. Under parts of the 
neck brownish-white, streaked with dark brown. Under parts generally 
white. Anterior tarsal feathers tinged with brown. 
Length 23 inches ; extent of wings 54 ; bill along the back 2 ; tarsus 
2£, middle toe 3. 
