THE HOBBY 
FALCO SUBBUTEO 
Loca names in surrounding counties : 
Sratus IN BritisH AvirAuNA: Arare and local summer 
visitor to England ; seen on migration in Scotland and 
Ireland. 
RaptiaL DistTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Pauw’s: ‘The more or less regular appearance in spring 
of the Hobby in localities within the Metropolitan radius 
seems to suggest that in former years it bred in some 
numbers in the extensive woods that surround London. 
This pretty bird, a Peregrine in miniature, is seldom 
allowed to rear a brood in the surrounding counties 
nowadays, being shot or trapped and its nest pillaged at 
every opportunity. It has, however, been known to have 
bred successfully near London within the past twenty 
years, and would probably do so regularly if protected. 
As a casual visitor it 1s usually observed in April and May 
or September and October, when on spring and autumn 
migration. I have seen the Hobby in localities as far 
apart as St. Mary Cray, Epping Forest, and Wembley 
Park: ; 
Although the Hobby isa miniature Peregrine in appear- 
ance its haunts are very different ones. It is essentially a 
woodland bird, but otherwise somewhat closely resembles 
its larger congener in its ways of life. In one respect, 
however, it differs very considerably from the Peregrine. 
It is a migrant, arriving late in April or early in May, 
and taking up its abode for the summer in large woods 
and plantations, from which it sallies in quest of food. 
Being probably a life-paired bird, it returns usually to the 
same haunts each year. It is quite as dashing and fear- 
less in quest of prey as the Peregrine, but its quarry, of 
course, is smaller, chiefly consisting of the lesser birds, 
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