THE HOBBY 227 



and breast, the lower portion of the latter being 

 marked with black-brown bars. 



The hobby, which is more generally a denizen 

 of the woodlands, is a summer visitant to this 

 country, and rarely found in Scotland or Ireland. 

 Dixon describes it as being a miniature peregrine 

 in its appearance, and much resembling that bird 

 in its habits, being, in fact, the peregrine of the 

 woodlands. It is one of the most beautiful of the 

 British falcons, but it is unfortunately somewhat 

 rare in England, though, perhaps, less so of recent 

 years. Its length of wing is peculiar, and its 

 flight very rapid. Falconers used them for the 

 taking of small birds, such as larks, etc. It is 

 very easily trained. In length it varies from 

 twelve to fourteen inches, the width across its 

 wings being some twenty-four inches, the latter, 

 when closed, extending beyond the tail. The upper 

 part of its plumage is of a bluish-black, under- 

 neath of a yellowish - red colour, striped with 

 brown, the stripes running lengthwise black 

 moustache. In the female the colouring is less 

 distinct, and the stripes are broader. The Rev. 

 C. A. Johns states that the periods of migration of 

 the hobby take place at the same time as those 

 of the swallow, both in coming to and leaving 

 this country and the Continent. He also observes 

 that its utility for purposes of falconry is impaired 

 by reason of its being prone to pine if kept in 

 captivity after its period for departure. 



The merlin, which is another of our smaller 



