NATURAL HISTORY 



209 



HYPOTRIORCHIS. (Gr. 'T-or 



Subbutco (Lat. the Hobby.) 



The HOBBY is a summer visitor in England, appearing in 

 April and leaving in October. It was formerly trained to fly 

 at larks, quails, and other small birds. When wild it seems 

 to feed principally on small birds and large beetles, the com- 

 mon dor-beetle being a very favourite article of food. It 

 builds its nest at the summit of a high tree, usually appro- 

 priating the deserted habitation of a crow. The eggs are 

 four in number, of a dirty white colour, speckled with reddish 

 brown. The length of the bird is from twelve to fourteen 

 inches. 



The MERLIN, the least of our Falcons, was considered in 

 olden times as the lady's bird, every rank being obliged to 



