HOBBY. 19 



those days of strict game laws. So stringent, indeed, were the 

 provisions for preserving the Peregrine, that the customary 

 breeding haunt of a pair was placed under the especial care of 

 the occupiers of the land in the immediate vicinity, and they 

 were made responsible, by the terms of their tenure, for the safe 

 keeping of the noble birds and their offspring. One such site is 

 in Goathland, on the line of the Pickering and Whitby Railway, 

 audit is an interesting fact in the nesting habits of the Peregrine, 

 that until within a recent period, fand it is believed at the present 

 time also). Killing-nab Scar has always been a site of that 

 Falcon's nidiiication. Many of its breeding places, perhaps like 

 others in the interior, known time out of mind by some name 

 derived from the circumstance of their being thus appropriated, 

 such as Falcon-scar, Hawk-scar, Eagle-cliif, are among the tallest 

 and least accessible, rocks of the sea coast. The nest itself is 

 placed on some projection, possibly within some fissure, and is 

 made of sticks, or seaweed from the coast, and is 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 ^ood deal in size 

 (probably according to the age of die laying biro), 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 aie 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 ar.e 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 Ealcon;" the male, called the 

 Tercel, or Tiercel, being more frequently flown at much smaller 

 game, as Partridges. A Falcon-night although the science is 

 BO 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 feroe naturd. Some luckless Gull, 

 or Guillemot, or Hock-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. 3, plate I. 



10. HOBBY (Falco subbuteo.) 



This beautiful and active little Hawk a sort of " miniature 

 Peregrine," Mr. YarreD calk it is not a permanent inhabitant 



08 



