580 JO URNAL, B 0MB A Y NA TUBAL HIST. SO CIETY, Vol. XXIII. 



Hobbies, have probably bred in the vicinity in former years, because the 

 friend who accompanied me on my second visit on August the 22nd assured 

 me that two years ago, and in the immediate neighbourhood of this wood, 

 he saw five birds, probably the old birds with their young perched on trees. 

 In June this year I had pointed out to him a Hobby when he at once 

 suggested that this was the bird he had seen. I told him it was impro- 

 bable that they bred this side of the snows, but I think now he was 

 correct in his assertion. 



The situation of the nest I found was on three horizontal branches and 

 40 feet up a deodar (C. deodara). It was an oblong in shape, measuring 

 approximately 12" x 10" by 2^" in depth with a central depression of 2 

 inches. The nest was composed entirely of fine twigs which did not 

 exceed the diameter of an ordinary pencil. 



There were three young in the nest about 16-18 days old. I was 

 attracted by their cries which closely resemble those of the kestrel (2'. 

 alavdarius) . A.t the same moment I saw one of the old birds leave the 

 nest. 



Sitting down I watched their proceedings during a vigil of two hours, 

 and had repeatedly the pleasure of seeing the parents bring food which 

 must have consisted of small insects (chiefly beetles, judging from a pellet 

 disgorged by the young one I took in the hopes of rearing it), though they 

 occasionally indulged in flesh diet {vide remarks infra). The old birds brought 

 food at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes, their approach being heralded by 

 the hungry cries of their brood. As the parent bird alighted on the nest 

 the young greedily rushed to secure the tit-bit which was always carried 

 in the feet. The duration of these visits lasted but a few seconds. The 

 food being disposed of, a hasty glance round and the parent slipped quietly 

 off, mounting to feed in mid-air 500 feet above the level of the nest. 

 When food was secured the bird dropped with marvellous velocity to the 

 nest. After some time I ordered my climber to go up and bring one of 

 the young ones down and also to lift the remaining two to ascertain if by 

 any chance there was an addled egg. Immediately he extended his hand 

 over the side of the nest, the young Hobbies threw themselves on their 

 backs presenting their claws and open bills, at the same time making as 

 much noise as they were able. 



While the intruder was at the nest one of the old birds was perched on 

 the top of a tree, 50 yards away, answering the young but otherwise 

 making no demonstration — behaviour which compares unfavourably with 

 that of a kestrel {T. alaudarius), which, while I was taking its eggs, had 

 to be kept off by throwing stones. 



On August the 22nd, a friend accompanied me to see how the young 

 Hobbies were progressing. On our arrival one of the old birds was sitting, 

 with its breast towards us, on the side of the nest, remaining there quite 5 

 minutes. Giving my friend the glasses I asked him to describe the bird as 

 he saw it. He said " it is like a small shahin " {F. peregrinator), (a bird 

 well known to him) " with heavy black markings on the underparts." 



After the parent had departed, I told the climber to go up when he 

 reported the two remaining young ones dead. These I ordered him to 

 throw down. On examination one proved to be partially eaten ; the crop 

 of the other contained portions of a small bird. 



Torrents of rains (about 8 inches being registered) had fallen since my last 

 visit, probably to the undoing of the young Hobbies. 



The disappearance of the young birds of prey from their nests is not an 

 uncommon occurrence and this instance leaves little doubt, but that the 

 parents, though they may not have killed them, sometimes, at least eat 

 them. 



