FALCOMD^. 165 



Cliagford, in the summer of 1S69 (M. A. M., Zool. 1870, p. 2304). A nest and three 

 yuung were obtained at Woodtown, near Horrabridge, in 1871 (J. B. R., MS. Noltsi). 

 The Rev. T. Johnes, writing in 18o2, speaks of the Hobb_y as not common, but states 

 that it built in the tops of high trees in the woods near Bradstone (Bray's ' Tamar and 

 Tavy,' i. p. o4li). 



At Plymoutb, the Hobby has been observed as early as March (J. B. R., Trans. Plyin. 

 Inst. 18(32-63, p. 51) ; and young birds have been seen in Bickleigh Vale up to the 

 beginning of October (R. A. J., ' Naturalist,' 1851, p. 88). Mr. Bulitho had only two 

 specimens brought to him in twenty years (1852-72). These occurred in May 18(10 

 and July ISlio, the last at Leigham. An adult was killed with a stone near Plymouth, 

 August 30th, 1873 ; and a young bird was killed near there, October 1st, 1873 (Zool. 



1873, p. 3720 ; 1874, p. 3829). 



At Kingsbridge, Mr. Henry Nicholls had several specimens brought to him before 

 1 8()5, but his brother, Mr. R. P. NichoUs, has not had one for a long time. Mr. W. Toll 

 has killed examples near Sti-ete, and it has been shot near Dartmouth (E. A. 8. E.). 

 We observed one near Stoke Fleming, July 2nd, 18'J1 (W. D'U.). 



An old male killed near Torquay in 1850 is iu the Museum of that town (A. von H. 

 Zool. 1873, p. 3*J08). An immature male was shot Sept. 1st, 1874, at Yaruer Wood 

 about two miles from Bovey Tracey (Trans. Devon. Assoc, viii. p. 257). 



Several specimens have been killed near Exeter, but none recently. A young female 

 September 5th, 1831 (R. S.) ; a male in 134(:) (W. R. S., Zool. p. 2383) ; and a male taken 

 in a net near the Double Locks on the E.\eter Canal (R. C.) ; all these are in the 

 A. M. M. Mr. VV. Brodrick saw a Hobby on Dawlish Warren in the act of eating 

 a Sky-Lark. 



A male and female, in fine adult plumage, said to have been obtaiued in Devon, 

 were in Mr. Byne's collection. The Hobby occasionally visits Luudy Island (Trans. 

 Divon. Assoc, viii. p. 308). 



The Hobby has occurred in the immediate neighbourhood of Taunton, 

 and has nested iu tStoke W^ood ; also on the ];51agdou Hills, whence 

 Mr. Cecil Smith received a young bird iu the down in the summer of 



1874, and kept it for a long time in his aviary, where it became a great 

 pet. 



In Dorsetshire, according to the E.ev. 0. Pickard-Cambridge, the Hobby 

 used to nest regularly every year. In Cornwall it is not common. 



Merlin. Faico cesalon, Tunstall. 

 [Little Blue Hawk.] 



An autumn and Aviutor visitor, but not of very frecjuent occurrence. 

 Arrives generally about the middle of September, remaining sometimes as 

 late as March. 



I'ohvhele says that Mr. Elford saw several young taken from a nest on 

 Iloborongh Down ; but Dr. Leacli thought the ne.st must have been tluit 

 of a Jlobljy (Vj. M., liowe's Peram)>. Daituioor, p. 2'.')2). The Merlin is 

 said to have bred in Jlound Tor Vale, near Mamiton (W. AV, 13.). 



This courageous little l-'alcon, a Peregrine iu miniature, is, for the most 

 jiart, only a winter visitor to the South of Kiigland, arriving about the time 

 tlie Hobby i.s thinking of leaving us. It is by no means numerous in 

 Devon.shire, and occasionally a whole winter will pass without one l)eiTig 

 eeeii. Mr. W. Jirodrick has observed Merlins on E.\nujor in June, and there 

 is a presumption that they may sometimes nest on the Forest; but if tliey 



