310 
SEA EAGLE. 
more universal among the feathered race, in their natural state, 
than that chastity of attachment, which coniines the amours of 
individuals to those of their own species only. That perversion 
of nature, produced by domestication, is nothing to the purpose. 
In no instance have I ever observed the slightest appearance 
of a contrary conduct. Even in those birds which never build 
a nest for themselves, nor hatch their young, nor even pair, 
but live in a state of general concubinage, — such as the Cuckoo 
of the old, and the Cow Bunting of the new continent, — 
there is no instance of a deviation from this striking habit. I 
cannot, therefore, avoid considering the opinion above alluded 
to, that ££ the male Osprey, by coupling with the female Sea 
Eagle, produces Sea Eagles ; and that the female Osprey, by 
pairing with the male Sea Eagle, gives birth to Ospreys,” * 
or Fish Hawks, as altogether unsupported by facts, and 
contradicted by the constant and universal habits of the whole 
feathered race, in their state of nature. 
The Sea Eagle is said, by Salerne, to build on the loftiest 
oaks a very broad nest, into which it drops two large eggs, 
that are quite round, exceedingly heavy, and of a dirty white 
colour. Of the precise time of building, we have no account; 
but something may be deduced from the following circum- 
stance : — In the month of May, while on a shooting excursion 
along the sea coast, not far from Great Egg Harbour, accom- 
panied by my friend Mr Ord, we were conducted about a mile 
into the woods to see an Eagle’s nest. On approaching 
within a short distance of the place, the bird was perceived 
slowly retreating from the nest, which, we found, occupied the 
centre of the top of a very large yellow^ pine. The w r oods were 
cut down, and cleared off, for several rods around the spot, 
which, from this circumstance, and the stately, erect trunk, 
and large crooked, wriggling branches of the tree, surmounted 
by a black mass of sticks and brush, had a very singular and 
picturesque effect. Our conductor had brought an axe w T ith 
him, to cut down the tree ; but my companion, anxious to 
* Buffon, vol. i p. 80 . Trans. 
