THE HOBBY 



say up to the size of a Missel-Thrush. It also feeds largely 

 on cockchafers and other large insects, hawking for them 

 with remarkable dexterity. Like its ally it usually sits 

 motionless on a lofty perch, whence it dashes as some 

 bird or insect appears, but if the quarry is missed a second 

 effort is seldom made. Like the Flycatcher, it prefers the 

 borders of the woods or some isolated tree in the fields which 

 commands a good view, when feeding, but at other times 

 the shades of the forest are sought. This pretty Falcon 

 makes no nest, but rears its young in the deserted cradle 

 of some other bird. That of a Crow or a Magpie is 

 frequently selected for this purpose, and here from three 

 to five reddish brown eggs are laid in June. If disturbed 

 at the nest the old birds utter a tremulous chatter, 

 showing considerable solicitude, but otherwise are com- 

 paratively silent. As soon as the young are strong upon 

 the wing the place is deserted and the migration south 

 takes place in September. 



The male Hobby is dark slate-grey, almost black above, 

 with two moustachial lines of the same colour, and the 

 tail is barred with rufous brown ; the under parts are 

 very pale rufous, with brown streaks on the breast and 

 flanks ; whilst the thighs and under tail-coverts are chest- 

 nut. The female, larger than her mate, is not so bright 

 in colour, and the streaks on the under parts are broader. 

 Immature birds closely resemble young Peregrines, but 

 are, of course, smaller. Bill horn-colour, cere yellow; 

 tarsi and toes yellow ; claws black ; irides dark brown. 

 Length of adult male nearly 12 inches ; female nearly 14 

 inches. 



