HOBBY. 79 



they have caught, and so to suffer their prey to escape from them. 



The note is said to resemble that of the Wryneck. 



The Hobby builds in the trees of woods and forests, generally 

 among the topmost branches, but sometimes in a hole of a 

 tree. In the former case, a preference is given to isolated 

 fir or other plantations, as affording at the same time a less 

 likelihood of disturbance, a better view of approach from all 

 sides, and a supply of the several kinds of food on which 

 the bird lives. It has also been known to build on the ledges 

 of steep precipices or mountains. The same pair will return 

 to their breeding place from year to year if not disturbed. 

 The nest is built of sticks, and is lined with moss, hair, and 

 other such materials. Occasionally the forsaken tenement of 

 some other species of bird is made to serve the purpose of 

 one of its own fabrication. It frequently avails itself of that 

 of the carrion crow, or a magpie. 



The eggs, which are laid about the first week in June, are 

 two, three, or four in number; some say that the former, and 

 others that the latter is the more frequent amounts: they 

 are of a rather short and oval shape, and of a dingy white, 

 or bluish white ground colour, much speckled all over with 

 reddish or yellowish brown, or sometimes with olive green. 

 Mr. Hewitson says that they are very much like some of 

 those of the Kestrel, as well as those of the Merlin, but that 

 they are larger than either; of a pinker hue, less suffused 

 with colour, and marked with fewer of the small black dots 

 which are scattered over the surface of the others. The young 

 remain for some time in the neighbourhood of the nest, until 

 they have gradually learned to cater for themselves. 



In general appearance, the Hobby resembles in some degree 

 the Peregrine, at least on the back, for the breast is streaked 

 instead of barred. It is also of a more slender shape the 

 wings are longer than the tail. 



Male; upper parts of a general dark slate-colour, the shafts 

 of the feathers being darker; the lower parts yellowish or 

 rufous white, streaked with dark brown; weight about seven 

 ounces or half a pound; length, about one foot or thirteen 

 inches; bill, black or bluish black, darkest at the tip, blue 

 at the base; cere, yellow; iris, reddish brown or orange. The 

 head large, broad, and flat, of a dark slate-colour; crown, 

 greyish black; neck, white on the sides, and brownish white 

 or ferruginous on the middle part behind, a black streak or 

 band running downwards from the angle of the bill; nape, 



