Birds of Britain 



The young have buff margins to the feathers of the back 

 and are striped instead of being barred below. Length of 

 male 15 in.; wing 12*5 in. The female is larger. 



THE HOBBY 



Falco subbuteo, Linnaeus 



This species is very like a small Peregrine and comes to 

 us yearly to rear its young. Although occurring through- 

 out our islands, it is very local, being commonest in 

 our southern and eastern counties. It very seldom nests 

 north of Yorkshire, where it becomes rare. In the west 

 of England and in Ireland it is almost unknown. 



In flight and habits it closely resembles the Peregrine, 

 its food consisting chiefly of small birds and insects. 



An old Crow's or Magpie's nest is appropriated, and the 

 eggs, usually three in number, closely resemble those of the 

 Kestrel but are slightly smaller. Old and young leave us 

 again in September. 



The sexes are alike, and very dark slate grey on the 

 back ; chin white ; under parts huffish, striped with black ; 

 thighs and vent red. Length about 13 in.; wing 10'5 in. 



THE MERLIN 



Falco cesalon, Tunstall 



On moorlands and cliffs by the sea-shore, the Merlin is 

 tolerably abundant from Wales northwards, but in the south 



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