26 THE BIRDS OF OXFOEDSHIRE. 



Mill about thirty years ago, the old birds being shot^ and in 

 1876 two egg's were procured at Clay don. A young bird 

 taken from the nest in some tall trees at Huskot Mill near 

 Banbury in 1879 lived for some time in my possession^ and 

 at Cuddesdon also it has bred twice recently^ a nest of three 

 eggs having been discovered in 1884, and another in 1885, 

 as I am informed by Mr. E. W. Harcourt. A short distance 

 over the Berkshire borders eggs were taken at Cumnor near 

 Oxford in i88a (H. A. Macpherson), and near Godstow by 

 Mr. A. B. E. Battye in 1883. 



The following examples of the Hobby have been procured 

 in the county in recent years. An adult at Adderbury in 



1876. One near Banbury on the 23rd July, 1877 {Zoologist , 



1877, p. 449). An adult male at Tackley, June, 1883. An 

 adult male at Oxford, 17th July, 1884. A remarkably fine 

 old male at Great Bourton on the 21st of the same month. 

 A young bird at Waterperry, September, 1884. A young 

 bird at Wickham Park (one of three said to have frequented 

 the place for some weeks and which no doubt were bred there) 

 on the nth September, 1885. And a young bird at Water- 

 perry in the third week of the same month. On the 2nd 

 September, 1884, when shooting at Bloxliam Grove, my 

 brothers and I had a good opportmiity of observing the 

 graceful flight of these beautiful little Falcons, one of wdiich 

 was circling rapidly round a clump of chestnut trees, exhibit- 

 ing its powerful flight and the rapidity and ease with which 

 the sharpest turns were effected to the best advantage, the 

 long pointed wings, which when closed reach quite to the 

 end of the tail, being very noticeable. It w^as probably in 

 pursuit of insects, which form a considerable portion of its 

 food, but on om- nearer approach it flew to a neighbouring 

 avenue, being joined by a second bird. 



I have no note of the Hobby having been procured here in 

 winter, as it has in some parts of England ; but it is capable 

 of withstanding a considerable amount of cold, and the 



