By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 357 
resemblance, by its comparative lightness, though at the same 
time greater dimensions, both in length and stretch of wing; by its 
more distinct ruff of feathers encircling the head, and by its greater 
elegance and slimness of form. In all other respects, as regards 
its habits, haunts, food, &c., it is quite similar to the last-named 
species; but of late years it has been proved by several naturalists, 
that it occasionally varies its diet with the eggs of small birds, 
those of the thrush, sky-lark and willow wren, having been dis- 
covered in its stomach. Two instances have reached me of its 
recent capture in this county; one (now in Mr. Marsh’s collection,) 
was killed by Mr. Wightwick’s keeper in 1841, at Somerford 
Common, described as a very wooded district; the other was caught 
in a gin at Wans, about two years since, and (in confirmation of 
what I have stated above respecting its occasional food,) I learn 
from Mr. C. Wyndham, that it was attracted to the trap by an egg 
set there for a magpie. 
I will now bring this long paper on the Falcons to a close, with 
one more extract from the register of Mr. Hayward, who has dis- 
covered the following interesting facts from personal observation. 
“Hawks do not moult their wing and tail feathers as do other 
birds, and this is a wise provision of Nature, otherwise during the 
season of moulting, they must starve; but now they moult but one 
feather on each wing at a time, and when afeather drops from one 
wing, the corresponding feather on the other wing drops out within 
seven hours; this is, without doubt for the sake of equilibrium; 
then as the new feathers come up and are grown, another pair in 
like manner falls out, and so with the tail.” Mr. Hayward also 
observes that “ hawks, in fighting, would score one another’s backs 
with their talons at a swoop, to avoid which catastrophe the one 
attacked invariably turns over and presents her feet to the assailant.” 
ALFRED CHARLES SMITH. 
Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, 
January 2, 1857. 
