4 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



St. Paul's, where it was supposed they had a nest : 

 and a gentleman with whom I am acquainted has 

 assured me that a friend of his once saw a Pere- 

 grine strike down a Pigeon in London, his attention 

 having been first attracted hy seeing a crowd of 

 persons gazing upwards at the hawk as it sailed in 

 circles over the houses. 



In the winter of 1857, a young bird of this 

 species was caught by a birdcatcher between Hamp- 

 stead and Finchley ; and I have seen a female 

 Peregrine that was shot in January, 1862, at Forty 

 Farm, in the parish of Harrow. During the second 

 week of November 1865, a Peregrine was killed 

 in Canon's Park, Edgeware, and another seen. The 

 following week one was shot at Stanmore, and it 

 is supposed that these were a pair. This Falcon 

 has also been killed near Highgate, at South- 

 gate, and on Old Oak Common. 



HOBBY, Falco subbuteo. This handsome bird, 

 in appearance like a little Peregrine, is with us a 

 summer visitant. It is, however, of such unfre- 

 quent occurrence, that it may be of interest to 

 mention the instances of its appearance or capture 

 which have come under my notice. A specimen 

 in the collection of Mr. Bond was taken by a bird- 

 catcher at Kilburn, and one in the possession of 

 Mr. Spencer was caught on Primrose Hill, as late 

 as the month of October. On the 13th May, 1861, 

 three eggs of the Hobby were taken from an old 



