42 
FALCO HALIiETUS. 
short distance of the nest. On the near approach of 
any person, the hawk utters a plaintive whistling- note, 
which becomes shriller as she takes to wing, and sails 
around, sometimes making a rapid descent, as if aiming 
directly for you ; but checking her course, and sweeping 
past, at a short distance over head, her wings making 
a loud whizzing in the air. My worthy friend Mr 
Gardiner informs me, that they have even been known 
to fix their claws in a negro’s head, who was attempting 
to climb to their nest ; and I had lately a proof of their 
daring spirit in this way, through the kindness of a 
friend, resident, for a few weeks, at Great Egg Harbour. 
I had requested of him the favour to transmit me, if 
possible, a live fish-hawk, for the purpose of making a 
drawing of it, which commission he very faithfully 
executed ; and I think I cannot better illustrate this 
part of the bird’s character, than by quoting his letter 
at large. 
“ Beasley's, Great Egg Harbour, 30 th June, 1811. 
w Sir, — Mr Beasley and I went to reconnoitre a 
fish-hawk’s nest on Thursday afternoon. When I was 
at the nest, I was struck with so great violence on the 
crown of the hat, that I thought a hole was made in it. 
I had ascended fearlessly, and never dreamt of being 
attacked. I came down quickly. There were in the 
pest three young ones, about the size of pullets, which, 
though full feathered, were unable to fly. On Friday 
morning, I went again to the nest to get a young one, 
which I thought I could nurse to a considerable growth, 
sufficient to answer your purpose, if I should fail to 
procure an old one, wdiieh w as represented to me as 
almost impossible, on account of his shyness, and the 
danger from his dreadful claw r s. On taking a young 
one, I intended to lay a couple of snares in the nest, 
for which purpose I had a strong cord in my pocket. 
The old birds were on the tree w hen Captain H. and I 
approached it. As a defence, profiting by the experience 
of yesterday, I took a walking stick with me. When 
I was about half up the tree, the bird I send you struck 
