30 BRITISH BIRDS, THEIR EGGS AND NESTS. 
made of sticks, or seaweed from the coast, andis lined with some 
hair on which, for the hollow is not deep, the eggs repose. These 
are from two to four in number, often vary a good deal in size 
(probably according to the age of the laying bird), and not less in 
the markings and mottlings which pervade the entire surface. 
‘A reference to the engraving will give a better idea of the colour 
and appearance of this beautiful egg, than any description. 
Indeed, description of many—of most—eggs fails altogether in 
conveying an adequate idea of what they are like. 
These birds were so much prized in the middle ages on account 
of their fitness for the highly-esteemed pursuit of Falconry; 
and their power of wing and magnificent flight are in themselves 
matters of great interest, quite independently of the excitement 
of the chase. The female, from her much greater size and 
strength, was emphatically “the Falcon;” the male, called the 
- Tercel, or Tiercel, being more frequently flown at much smaller 
game, as Partridges. A Falcon-fliight—although the science is 
no longer cultivated at Didlington, in Norfolk, as it was a few 
years since by the late owner of the estate—may still, however, 
be seen, from time to time, by the fortunately-placed observer, 
both Hawk and quarry being fere natura. Some luckless Gull, 
or Guillemot, or Rock-Dove, is selected by the strong freebooter 
and carried off from amid the passing multitudes with a fierce, 
rushing dash; and if there are young to be sustained, the onset 
and sweep may possibly be seen once and again.— Fig. 8, plate I. 
10. HOBBY—(Falco subbuteo.) 
This beautiful and active little Hawk—a sort of “ miniatut 
Peregrine,” Mr, Yarrell calls it—is not a permanent inhabitan 
of our country. Visiting our shores in April, it leaves us again 
before winter. It usually selects a high tree to nest in, very 
