The Marsh Hawk. a Marsh Hawk's Nest, a Young Haw
The Marsh Hawk's nest is described as being built on a low branch of a tree overhanging the water. The young hawk is depicted as being fed by its parent, who brings it small fish and other prey. A visit to a quail's nest reveals that the female has laid her eggs in a hidden location, surrounded by twigs and leaves. The passage highlights the differences between the Marsh Hawk's nesting habits and those of the quail, emphasizing the hawk's adaptability and the quail's caution. The description of the young hawk's feeding is detailed and vivid, while the visit to the quail's nest serves as a contrast to the hawk's more exposed nesting site. The passage also touches on the theme of parental care, with the Marsh Hawk parent providing for its young, and the female quail taking great care to protect her eggs from predators. The overall tone is one of observation and description, with an emphasis on the natural world and the behaviors of the animals within it.
By John Burroughs · First published 1867 · Genre: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Wildlife Observation · 3,291 words
First lines
Most country boys, I fancy, know the marsh hawk. It is he you see flying low over the fields, beating about bushes and marshes and dipping over the fences, with his attention directed to the ground beneath him. He is a cat on wings. He keeps so low that the birds and mice do not see him till he is fairly upon them. The hen-hawk swoops down upon the meadow-mouse from his position high in air, or from the top of a dead tree; but the marsh hawk stalks him and comes suddenly upon him from over the fence, or from behind a low bush or tuft of grass. He is nearly as large as the hen-hawk, but has a much longer tail. When I was a boy I used to call him the long-tailed hawk. The male is of a bluish slate-color; the female reddish-brown, like the hen-hawk, with a white rump.
What this Textopian page supports
The Marsh Hawk. a Marsh Hawk's Nest, a Young Hawk, and a Visit to a Quail on her Nest is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Burroughs, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Burroughs
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Wildlife Observation, Memoir, Descriptive Prose
- Length: 3,291 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Marsh Hawk. a Marsh Hawk's Nest, a Young Hawk, and a Visit to a Quail on her Nest by John Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Marsh Hawk. a Marsh Hawk's Nest, a Young Hawk, and a Visit to a Quail on her Nest?
- How does this short story by John Burroughs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Nature Writing — The work focuses on the detailed observation of wildlife, particularly the marsh hawk and its nesting habits, showcasing a deep appreciation for nature.
- Non-Fiction — The text presents factual accounts and observations about birds and their behaviors, rather than fictional storytelling.
- Wildlife Observation — The narrative centers around the author's experiences and observations of hawks and quails in their natural habitats.
- Memoir — The author shares personal experiences and reflections related to his encounters with wildlife, particularly from his youth.
Tags
Nature Writing · Bird Watching · Wildlife Observation · Ornithology · Field Notes · Autobiographical · Memoir · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Conservationism · Environmentalism · Rural Life