FISH IIAWK, OR OSPREY. 
107 
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 be no inconsiderable load for a horse. These 
materials are so well put together, as often to adhere, in large 
fragments, 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 demo- 
lished by storms, it is industriously rebuilt. There was one 
of these nests, formerly, upon the leafless summit of a 
venerable chestnut 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 capa- 
cious nest, was a more picturesque object than an obelisk : 
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 beholder, 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 afforded 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, some- 
times 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 
