40 
FALCO HALXiETUS. 
in from year to year, and found them constructed as 
follows : — Externally, large sticks, from half an inch to 
an inch and a half in diameter, and two or three feet 
in length, piled to the height of four or five feet, and 
from two to three feet in breadth ; these were inter- 
mixed with corn stalks, sea-weed, pieces of wet tur/, in 
large quantities, mullein stalks, and lined with dry sea- 
f rass; the whole forming a mass very observable at 
alf a mile’s distance, and large enough to fill a cart, 
and form 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 
demolished 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 capacious nest, was a more 
picturesque object than an obelisk: and the flight of 
the hawks, as they went forth to hunt, returned uith 
their game, exercised themselves in wheeling round 
and round, and circling about it, were amusing to th? 
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 cf 
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 nev 
quarters. We have lost this part of our prospect ; and 
