It deserves to be mentioned, that this district affords a favorite haunt for the fish hawk, (Falco Halitsetus,) whose nests may be seen in the lofty summits of the venerable oaks and chesnuts which abound on the Neck and neig?iboring shores.

'• These birds are greatly respected, and a kind of superstition prevails that it is a lucky omen if one builds on the farm. The nest is an immense fabric of rotten sticks --

' Itself a burden for the tallest tree.' "

They subsist altogether on the finny tribes that swim in the

■ For a full account of the King family, see Thompson's Hist, of Long Island, b On the site of Mr. Bowne's dwelling house, stood the residence of Thomas Pell, first proprietor of the manor.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 545

bays and creeks adjacent,, procuring their prey by their own active skill and industry."

"The regular arrival of this noted bird at the vernal equinox, when the busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar interest to its first appearance, and procures it many a benediction from the fishermen."

" Soon as the sun, great ruler of the year,'' Bends to our northern chnnes his bright career, And from the caves of Ocean calls from sleep The finny shoals and myriads of the deep ; When freezing tempests back to Greenland ride, And day and night the equal hours divide ; True to the season, o'er our sea-beat shore, The sailing Osprey high is seen to soar With broad, unmoving wing ; and, circling slow, Marks each loose straggler in the deep below, Sweeps down like lightning ! plunges with a roar I And bears his struggling victim to the shore.