FISH-HAWK, OR OSPREY® 
43 
at me repeatedly with violence ; he flew round, in a 
small circle, darting at me at every circuit, and I striking 
at him. Observing that he always described a circle 
in the air, before he came at me, I kept a hawKs eye 
upon him, and the moment he passed me, I availed 
piyself of the opportunity to ascend. When imme- 
diately under the nest, 1 hesitated at the formidable 
opposition I met, as his rage appeared to increase with 
my presumption in invading his premises. But I 
mounted to the nest. At that moment he darted directly 
at me with all his force, whizzing through the air, his 
choler apparently redoubled. Fortunately for me, I 
struck him on the extreme joint of the right wing with 
my stick, which brought him to the ground. During 
this contest, the female was flying round and round at 
a respectful distance. Captain H. held him till I tied 
my handkerchief about his legs ; the captain felt the 
effect of his claws. I brought away a young one to 
keep the old one in a good humour. I put them in a 
very large coop ; the young one ate some fish, when 
broken and put into its throat ; but the old one would 
not eat for two days. He continued sullen and obsti- 
nate, hardly changing his position. He walks about 
now, and is approached without danger. He takes very 
little notice of the young one. A Joseph Smith, working 
in the field where this nest is, had the curiosity to go 
up to look at the eggs : the bird clawed his face in a 
shocking manner ; his eye had a narrow escape. I am 
told that it has never been considered dangerous to 
approach a hawk’s nest. If this be so, this bird’s 
character is peculiar ; his affection for his young, and 
his valiant opposition to an invasion of his nest, entitle 
him to conspicuous notice. He is the prince of fish- 
hawks ; his character and his portrait seem worthy of 
being handed to the historic muse. A hawk more 
worthy of the honour which awaits him could not have 
been found. I hope no accident will happen to him, 
and that he may fully answer your purpose. — Yours, 
“ Thomas Smith.” 
