is seen to feed them even when they have begun to procure .food for
themselves.
Notwithstanding all these facts, a most erroneous idea prevails among
our fishermen, and the farmers -along our coasts, that the Fish Hawk's
nest is the best scare-crow they can have in the vicinity of their houses or
grounds. As these good people affirm, no Hawk will attempt to commit
depredations on their poultry, so long as the Fish Hawk remains in the
country. But the absence of most birds of prey from those parts at the
time when the Fish Hawk is on our coast, arises simply from the necessity
of retiring to the more sequestered parts of the interior for the purpose
of rearing their young in security, and the circumstance of their visiting
the coasts chiefly at the period when myriads of water-fowl resort
to our estuaries at the approach of winter, leaving the shores and saltmarshes
at the return of spring, when the Fish Hawk arrives. However,
as this notion has a tendency to protect the latter bird, it may be so far
useful, the fisherman always interposing when he sees a person bent upon
the destruction of his favourite bird.
The Fish Hawk differs from all birds of prey in another important
particular, which is, that it never attempts to secure its prey in the air,
although its rapidity of flight might induce an observer to suppose it perfectly
able to do so. I have spent weeks on the Gulf of Mexico, where
these birds are numerous, and have observed them sailing and plunging
into the water, at a time when numerous shoals of flying-fish were
emerging from the sea to evade the pursuit of the dolphins. Yet the
Fish Hawk never attempted to pursue any of them while above the
surface, but would plunge after one of them or a bonita-fish, after they
had resumed their usual mode of swimming near the surface.
The motions of the Fish Hawk in the air are graceful, and as majestic
as those of the Eagle. It rises with ease to a great height by extensive
circlings, performed apparently by mere inclinations of the wings and
tail. It dives at times to some distance with the wings partially closed,
and resumes its sailing, as if these plunges were made for amusement
only. Its wings are extended at right angles to the body, and when thus
flying it is easily distinguishable from all other Hawks by the eye of an
observer accustomed to note the flight of birds. Whilst in search of food,
it flies with easy flappings at a moderate height above the water, and with
an apparent listlessness, although in reality it is keenly observing the objects
beneath. No sooner does it spy a fish suited to its taste, than it
2
checks its course with a sudden shake of its wings and tail, which gives
it the appearance of being poised in the air for a moment, after which it
plunges headlong with great rapidity into the water, to secure its prey,
or continue its flight, if disappointed by having observed the fish sink
deeper.
When it plunges into the water in pursuit of a fish, it sometimes proceeds
deep enough to disappear for an instant. The surge caused by its
descent is so great as to make the spot around it present the appearance
of a mass of foam. On rising with its prey, it is seen holding it in the
manner represented in the Plate. It mounts a few yards into the air,
shakes the water from its plumage, squeezes the fish with its talons, and
immediately proceeds towards its nest, to feed its young, or to a tree, to
devour the fruit of its industry in peace. When it has satisfied its hunger,
it does not, like other Hawks, stay perched until hunger again urges it
forth, but usually sails about at a great height over the neighbouring
waters.
The Fish Hawk has a great attachment to the tree to which it carries
its prey, and will not abandon it, unless frequently disturbed, or shot at
whilst feeding there. It shews the same attachment to the tree on which
it has built its first nest, and returns to it year after year.
This species arrives on the southern coasts of the United States early
in the month of February, and proceeds eastward as the season advances.
In the Middle Districts, the fishermen hail its appearance with joy, as it
is the harbinger of various species of fish which resort to the Atlantic
coasts, or ascend the numerous rivers. It arrives in the Middle States
about the beginning of April, and returns southward at the first appearance
of frost. I have occasionally seen a few of these birds on the muddy
lakes of Louisiana, in the neighbourhood of New Orleans, during the
winter months; but they appeared emaciated, and were probably unable
to follow their natural inclinations, and proceed farther south.
As soon as the females make their appearance, which happens eight
or ten days after the arrival of the males, the love-season commences, and
soon after, incubation takes place. The loves of these birds are conducted
in a different way from those of the other Falcons. The males are seen
playing through the air amongst themselves, chasing each other in sport,
or sailing by the side or after the female which they have selected, uttering
cries of joy and exultation, alighting on the branches of the tree on which
their last year's nest is yet seen remaining, and doubtless congratulating
n d