HOBBY. 79 
they have caught, and so to suffer their prey to escape from them. 
The note is said to resemble that of the Wryneck. 
The Hobby builds in the trees of woods and forests, generally 
among the topmost branches, but sometimes in a hole of a 
tree. In the former case, a preference is given to isolated 
fir or other plantations, as affording at the same time a less 
likelihood of disturbance, a better view of approach from. all 
sides, and a supply of the several kinds of food on which 
the bird lives. It has also been known to build on the ledges 
of steep precipices or mountains. The same pair will return 
to their breeding place from year to year if not disturbed. 
The nest is built of sticks, and is lined with moss, hair, and 
other such materials. Occasionally the forsaken tenement. of 
some other species of bird is made to serve the purpose of 
one of its own fabrication. It frequently avails itself of that 
of the carrion crow, or a magpie. 
The eggs, which are laid about the first week in June, are 
two, three, or four in number; some say that the former, and 
others that the latter is the more frequent amounts: they 
are of a rather short and oval shape, and of a dingy white, 
or bluish white ground colour, much speckled all over with 
reddish or yellowish brown, or sometimes with olive green. 
Mr. Hewitson says that they are very much lke some of 
those of the Kestrel, as well as those of the Merlin, but that 
they are larger than either; of a pinker hue, less suffused 
with colour, and marked with fewer of the small black dots 
which are scattered over the surface of the others. The young 
remain for some time in the neighbourhood of the nest, until 
they have gradually learned to cater for themselves. 
In general appearance, the Hobby resembles in some degree 
the Peregrine, at least on the back, for the breast is streaked 
instead of barred. It is also of a more slender shape—the 
wings are longer than the tail. 
Male; upper parts of a general dark slate-colour, the shafts 
of the feathers being darker; the lower parts yellowish or 
rufous white, streaked with dark brown; weight about seven 
ounces or half a pound; length, about’ one foot or thirteen 
inches; bill, black or bluish black, darkest at the tip, blue 
at the base; cere, yellow; iris, reddish brown or orange. The 
head large, broad, and flat, of a dark slate-colour; crown, 
greyish black; neck, white on the sides, and brownish white 
or ferruginous on the middle part behind, a black streak or 
band running downwards from the angle of the bill; nape, 
