200 CLASS AVES. 



The falco tibialis is stronger than the preceding, and has 

 also shorter wings : the beak is yellow at the base, and horn- 

 colour in the remainder : the tibial feathers of the male are of 

 a blackish-brown, like those of the head : the alar and caudal 

 quills are of the same colour, but bordered with white : the 

 back and wing-coverts are gray-brown : the lower parts of the 

 body are reddish-white, with long brown spots : the tarsi and 

 toes are yellow, and the claws black. This bird, a specimen 

 of which was killed by M. Le Vaillant, in the country of the 

 Great Namaquois, appears rare. 



The Hobby (falco Subbuteo). This bird is common in 

 France, Germany, and other countries of Europe, and is 

 found even in the deserts of Tartary and Siberia. It is re- 

 ported to leave England and some other countries in winter : 

 woods, in the neighbourhood of fields, are its usual places of 

 abode. These birds usually prey on larks ; but they also 

 pursue greenfinches, bulfinches, sometimes quails, and accord- 

 ing to M. Temminck, some small river-birds. They nestle 

 on very elevated trees, and the female lays three or four 

 whitish eggs, unequally spotted with olive-coloured points, and 

 black spots somewhat larger. For descriptions Ave must hence- 

 forth refer to the text, except where there is any thing pecu- 

 liarly remarkable, which may have been omitted there. 



The Kober Falcon, is the gray hobby of Cuvier. This bird 

 hunts in the evening, and even at night : it is very common in 

 Russia, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland ; but seldom seen 

 in France. It subsists on larks, and other small birds, and 

 even on insects, especially the coleoptera. 



The Common Merlin and the Rock Merlin seem now to be 

 considered as one species, but some confusion exists regarding 

 their respective habits. According to some writers, these 

 birds inhabit forests, and nestle on rocks or in trees. Others, 

 particularly Lewin, say that they are found in the hedges, 

 along which they fly low, in search of small birds, and nestle 

 on the ground, particularly in the furze. The courage of the 



