HOBBY FALCON. 311 



marked with darker bands. The other markings are nearly 

 as in the male, but those on the lower parts are broader. 



Length to end of tail 14 inches, extent of wings 28 ; wing 

 from flexure 10 f ; tail 6 ; bill along the ridge j% ; tarsus 1^ ; 

 middle toe and claw 2. 



Habits. — Few instances of the occurrence of this bird in 

 England have been recorded, and I have never seen an indi- 

 vidual procured in Scotland. In the former country it is sup- 

 posed to arrive in April, and depart toward the end of Pctober, 

 " about the time the Merlin arrives in the southern parts." It 

 seems to prefer inland situations, and is said by Montagu to 

 build in trees, sometimes taking possession of a crow''s deserted 

 nest. The eggs, three or four in number, are broadly elliptical, 

 bluish-white, blotched with greenish-brown. Of two specimens 

 fr-om France examined by me, one measured an inch and eight 

 twelfths, the other an inch and five twelfths in length, while 

 the greatest breadth of both was an inch and two and a half 

 twelfths. Its habits have not been well described by those who 

 have had opportunities of observing them in Britain, but its 

 flight is said to be extremely rapid, and its courage inferior to 

 that of no other species, so that when hawking was in vogue, 

 it was trained for the chase, although it does not appear to have 

 been a favourite. Its food consists of small birds and insects. 

 " We have frequently," says Montagu, " witnessed the flight 

 of this species in pursuit of a Sky-lark, which appears to be its 

 favourite game ; and it is astonishing to observe how dexter- 

 ously the little bird avoids the fatal stroke until it becomes 

 fatigued. A Hobby in pursuit of a Lark was joined by a Hen- 

 Harrier, who not being so rapid on wing, was usually behind, 

 and ready to avail himself of the sudden turns the unfortunate 

 Lark was compelled to make to avoid the talons of the Hobby ; 

 however, after numberless evolutions, the Hen-Harrier relin- 

 quished, being unequal to the chase, and left the deadly stroke 

 to one better adapted for rapid and durable flight, and aerial 

 evolutions. The country was open, and as far as the eye could 

 discern the chase continued, but doubtless without a chance of 

 the Lark's avoiding the fatal blow." The northern limits of the 



