1*28 HOBBY. 



retiring after incubation to spend the winter in 

 some warmer country, Asia most probably, for 

 specimens have been received from continental 

 India perfectly identical. In this country it 

 arrives in April, leaving again in October. It 

 occurs chiefly in the richer and more enclosed 

 districts, being evidently a bird delighting in 

 woods, where it can sally forth to prey in an 

 open tract. It breeds on tree$, sometimes among 

 Hie forsaken nests of the crow or magpie ; and 

 the eggs are described as of a bluish-white with 

 olive-green or yellowish blotches.* This is a 

 colouring of the eggs at variance with all those 

 of all our other British Falcons, and is more akin 

 to what we see in Astur and Circus* the Gos- 

 hawks and Harriers. Mr Yarrell, however, says 

 they are similar in form and colour to those of 

 the other Falcons. 1 )' The most favourite pursuit 

 of this Hawk seems to be the lark ; both Montague 

 and Mr Selby mention having witnessed the 

 chase, and of its very marked predilection for 

 this prey. It is extremely active, and was 

 formerly trained to hawk," and Quails and Larks 

 were the principal game, though Partridges were 

 sometimes attempted. It was not, however, held 

 in great respect for this sport 



* Temm. Man. i. p. 27. 

 t Brit. Birds, p. 42. 



