HOBBY. 



205 



The eggs, two to four in number, are " a pale 

 yellowish white, and the markings vary from brick 

 red and orange brown to rich reddish brown". Some 

 eggs are much smaller and rounder than others. In 

 the middle ages Peregrines were much prized for the 

 sport of falconry, and the birds were strictly pre- 

 served and commanded large prices, the loss of the 

 right hand being the punishment inflicted for destroy- 

 ing a nest. The female, being the bigger bird, was 

 flown at larger game. Herons and such like, whilst 

 the male, called the Tiercel, was loosed at such small 

 game, as Partridges and the like. 



HOBBY. 



FALCO SUBBUTEO. 



Family Falconid^. Genus Falco. 



The Hobby bears a great resemblance to the Pere- 

 grine Falcon in his habits and appearance, but is 

 much smaller. Unlike the Peregrine, the Hobby is 

 only a summer visitor to our shores and has now 

 become a rare bird. It is most likely to be met with 



