THE QUERIST, 71 



The claws of the unknown Hawk are pale horny white^ whilst the claws 

 of the Kestrel are black; the claws of the former are much shorter^ much 

 less incurvated, and much more slender, than the claws of the latter. The 

 tail of the unknown Hawk is five inches in lengthy whilst that of the 

 Kestrel is seven and a quarter. 



The tarsi of the unknown Hawk measure one inch and three- eighths^ 

 whilst the tarsi of the Kestrel measure one inch and three-quarters. The 

 first, second, third, and fourth toes of the unknown Hawk measure, res- 

 pectively, three-fourths of an inch, three-sixteenths, one inch and three- 

 eighths, and one inch; whilst those of the Kestrel are nine-sixteenths of 

 an inch, three-fourths, one inch, and thirteen-sixteenths; of the male Sparrow 

 Hawk, five- eighths of an inch, three-fourths, one inch and a half, and 

 seven-eighths; and of the female Sparrow Hawk, five-eighths of an inch^ 

 three-fourths, one inch, and thirteen-sixteenths. 



With regard to the shortness of the claws in the unknown Hawk, as a 

 consequence, in your opinion, of its being the produce of two tame or 

 domesticated Hawks, I beg leave to diflfer from you. In the first place, 

 the claws of birds kept in confinement invariably len^hen so much that 

 they frequently require to be cut shorter; and I am equally sceptical as to 

 any influence exercised over the claws of the young Hawk, although the 

 claws of the parent were entirely worn away. 



If this Hawk be simply a "variety," or even a "hybrid," why not allow 

 the Merlin to have a share in his production? 



Leedsj January 11th., 1856. Kichard Hobson, M.D. 



'^t (£inmt 



Will any of your numerous readers give me authentic information as to 

 the breeding and rearing of Foreign and English birds in confinement. A 

 friend of mine who has a very large Aviary has been quite unsuccessful 

 in this respect. The St. Helena Waxbills have constructed several nests, 

 but they have never laid eggs. More than one species of these small 

 passerine birds have been very busy with the business of nidification, and 

 have done some mischief to the shrubs and plants, by breaking ofi" the 

 slender tops wherewith to construct their nests, but no sooner is one finished, 

 than they commence another. I have heard that the Nightingale has been 

 known to breed and rear young ones in confinement, but I am very doubtful 

 of it, as these birds could not find a sufficiency of insect food for their 

 nestlings. Bechstein states that the Siskin, Goldfinch, and several others, 

 will breed regularly, even in a room, but my experience is directly con- 

 trary to this. Whilst on this subject, I should like to hear from your 

 correspondent, who stated some months since that an Emu, belonging to 



