Note on the Nesting of the Fish-Hawk in Maine. — I found the 
nest of a Fish-Hawk ( Pandion haliaetus) some years ago on the point of a 
rock which at high tide was separated from the main ledge and projected 
but a few feet above the water. It was composed entirely of kelp and 
sea-weed. A young one was sitting on the edge of the nest, but was able 
to fly. The next year I found one on a high island, destitute of trees, 
built on the ground between three small stumps. This contained two 
two large young ones, which the old birds were feeding. Two years ago 
I saw a pair building a nest on the top of a tall derrick, to which were 
attached four chains by which it was supported ; these chains helped to 
sustain the nest. 
Where the trees have been cut away or otherwise destroyed along the 
coast, I think it is becoming quite common for the Fish-Hawks to nest on 
the ground. I have noticed that their nests are also becoming more com- 
mon around our inland lakes. Last fall I saw six nests on Machias Lake 
where two years ago there was none. — Manly Hardy, Brewer, Me. 
Bnll,N.O.O. 5, July, 1880, p. / (o . 
‘ General Notes. 
V i - 
The Canada Goose and Osprey laying in the same Nest. — Mr. Charles 
de B. Green, who spends a good deal of his spare time in making collec- 
tions for the Museum, writes me from Kettle River, Okanagan District, 
British Columbia, to the effect that while climbing to an Osprey’s nest 
he was surprised to find his actions resented by not only the Ospreys but 
also by a pair of Canada Geese ( Branta canadensis'), the latter birds 
making quite a fuss all the time Mr. Green was in the tree. On reaching 
the nest he was still further surprised to find two Osprey eggs and three 
of the Canada Goose. He took the two Osprey’s eggs and two of the 
Geese eggs. 
This was on the first of May. On the 12th of May he returned and 
found the Osprey setting on the Goose egg; the geese were nowhere in 
sight. Mr. Green took the remaining egg and sent the lot to the 
Museu m. 
I am aware that it is not unusual for the Canada Goose to nest in 
trees but for two birds with such strangely opposite habits as the ones 
above quoted to enter into partnership in the matter of rearing a family 
is in my experience somewhat strange. 
I may mention in this connection that in the Okanagan District, 
especially along the valleys of the Kettle and Similkameen Rivers, 
Canada Geese are particularly noted for nesting in trees, and as these 
valleys are subject to sudden inundation during early spring, this fact 
may have something to do with it. — John Fannin, Provincial Museu?n , 
Victoria, B. C. 
Auk XI. Oct. 1894 p. 322 
Fish Hawk’s Eggs. Large set. Chas. 
C. Richards, Norwich, Conn., took a set of 
four Fish Hawk’s eggs from one of the 
rocks on the west side of Plum Island, 
May 20, 1883. 
O. & O. VIII. Sept. 1883 , p, (>y 
*VrU*, d/ J***h., d ■ , 
H. A. J P t 
O.&O. lX.May.1884. p. ri'- 
Fish Hawk, (’ Pandion halicetus caroli- 
nensis.) Abundant during the fishing 
season. The nest of this bird resembles 
more an Eagle’s abode, as it is a huge, 
bulky affair, made of earth, limbs, sea- 
weed, etc. The eggs, usually three, are 
sometimes very beautiful ; a dark brown 
or chocolate on a buff ground. 
In May 9tli, 1879, my friend Mr. Daniel 
Duncan, of Vinal Haven, Me., collected 
for me at tha t place a nest containing four 
fresh eggs the same time he collected 
and sent me a large number of the eggs of 
this species, and as this set was unusually 
large, I made inquiries of him regarding 
it, whereupon he assured me that they were 
taken from one nest. 
This season I spent a week in that local- 
ity, collecting— with Mr. D’s assistance— a 
large number of sets of the Fish Haw k 
were taken, and in order if possible to fur- 
nish me with additional proof as to the set 
sent me in ’79, for I think he was of the 
opinion that I was still a little doubtful re- 
garding it. Mr. D. took me to the same 
nest from which he had collected four 
eggs, and much to the surprise of us both, 
it this season contained the same number. 
Mr. D. also informed us that some time 
ago a gentleman from Mass., spent two sea- 
sons collecting in that vicinity and al- 
though he took a large number of eggs of 
the Fish Hawk, he took no nest contain- 
ing more than three. — N. A. Eddy , Ban - 
gor, Me. 
[Three is the number of eggs laid by the Fish Hawk, two 
and four the exception. In a series of forty-five eggs taken 
by us this Spring, in every case the full set was three. We 
never saw but one set of four eggs and that was in the col- 
lection of Messrs. Southwick & Jencks. Knowing that M. 
B. Grilling, had as large experience as any one collecting 
these eggs, we dropped a line to hint and received the fol- 
lowing reply : “ In four year’s collecting Mr. W. W. W. and 
myself have taken ten sets of Fish Hawks containing 
four eggs each. Capt. B. F. Goss has two of these sets, 
W. E. Saunders, one, S. F. Kathbun, one, one set W. sent 
to England, one set I broke. I now have three on hand and 
I W. has two. Three is the rule for a set, however, and four 
! the exception.” 
O.&O. Vll. Oct. 1382. p. /6>. 
