346 On the Ornithology of Wilts | Falconide}. 
of the species in that locality, and the difference in size between 
the female, (called par excellence the Falcon,) and the male, (called 
the Tiercel, as above described.) The boldness of the Peregrine is 
so great, that it will wait upon the sportsman, and no sooner has 
he sprung a covey of birds, than down comes the Falcon, despite 
the shooter and his dogs, singles out a partridge for herself, fells it 
to the earth with one deadly stroke, and bears it off in triumph ; 
a manceuvre which she will repeat day after day, and frequently 
more than once in a day. Mr. Stratton tells me that he has him- 
self witnessed this, and Mr. Selby gives a pleasing account of it in 
his Illustrations of British Ornithology, as does Mr. Knox very 
fully in his interesting work on “Game Birds and Wild Fowl.” 
I learn from Mr. Marsh that in the south of the county the keepers 
call the Peregrine by the provincial name of ‘ Trammel Hawk.’ 
“The Hobby,” (Falco subbuteo.) This beautiful little Falcon is 
in every respect like a diminutive Peregrine; and in proportion to 
its size (which seldom exceeds a foot in length) vies with its con- 
gener in strength, speed, activity, and endurance: it is a periodical 
summer visitant to this country, arriving in April, and departing 
again in October, and I believe is rarely seen in the northern 
counties of England: it loves thick plantations and woods, and at 
the time of incubation usually takes possession of the deserted nest 
of the Magpie or Crow: its food consists of insects as well as small 
birds, in taking which it displays great adroitness: it was formerly 
trained to fly at larks and snipes, the former of which constitute its 
favourite game in its wild state; hence arose one of its old specific 
names ‘alaudarius:’ with less apparent reason, I am told that its 
provincial name in Wiltshire is the “ Rook Hawk.” It has been 
taken in many parts of the county, and [ believe it to be somewhat 
sparingly distributed annually throughout our enclosed districts. 
I have also received many instances of its nesting and rearing its 
young in various localities; thus Mr. Hayward has taken two 
young ones from a deserted crow’s nest, in August, 1839; and 
from the same tree in which the Hobbies had reared their young 
the previous year: this was in the neighbourhood of Lavington, 
where he has subsequently seen them almost annually. Mr. 
