18 FALCONID^. 



wings. The falconer now comes to the rescue, for though 

 the Heron makes no resistance in the air, as soon as it 

 reaches the ground it uses its formidable beak in defence, 

 and unless prevented may work much mischief to its 

 pursuers. 



" As when a cast of Faiilcons make their flight 

 At an Heronshaw that lyes aloft on wing, 

 The whyles they strike at him with heedlesse might 

 The wary foule his bill doth backward wring. 

 On which the first, whose force her first doth bring, 

 Herselfe quite through the bodie doth engore, 

 And falleth downe to ground like senselesse thing, 

 But th' other, not so swift as she before, 

 Fayles of her souse, and passing by doth hurt no more." 



Fairy Queen. 



In France the "cast" consisted of three Falcons, which 

 were trained to perform particular duties, the first to start 

 the game in the required direction, the second to keep 

 guard over it, and the third to deal the fatal swoop. 



The " Lanner " of Pennant is a young female Peregrine. 



THE HOBBY. 



FALCO SUBBUTEO. 



Wings longer than the tail ; upper plumage bluish black ; beneath, rerldish 

 yellow, with longitudinal brown streaks ; moustaches broad, black ; lower 

 tail-coverts and feathers on the leg reddish ; beak bluish, darker at the tip ; 

 cere greenish yellow ; iris dark brown ; feet yellow ; claws black. Female — 

 all the colours diiller, and the streaks below broader. Length twelve to fonrteeii - 

 inches ; breadth about two feet. Eggs yellowish white, speckled with reddish 

 brown. 



The Hobby is a less common bird in England than in 

 France, where it is said to be a constant companion of the 

 sportsman, and to be endowed with enough discrimination 

 to keep out of shot. Xot satisfied Avith appropriating to 

 its own use wounded birds, it pursues and captures those 



