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a fourth consort to the same spot. This time the persecution was stayed, and the gallant little 

 bird was allowed to rear her young ones undisturbed, which were seen later in the season flying 

 about the wood. Of the three males, which were brought successively to a bird-preserver in this 

 city, the first was in immature, the others in adult plumage ; and it is the more remarkable that 

 the female in this instance should so soon and so often have obtained fresh partners of her own 

 species, since the Hobby, as above stated, is by no means numerous throughout the country." 



It appears that the Hobby, according to several accurate observers, is very vivacious, and 

 often annoys birds and animals simply for the sake of doing so. Thus Lord Lilford remarks 

 above on their chasing Swallows in sport ; and we now give some further accounts of the bird's 

 habits, corroborating his Lordship's idea. Mr. F. H. Snell writes from Schwalbach : — 



" In this part of the country, although this Falcon is rare, it is well-known to the peasants 

 that it often catches Swallows, and is indeed called here ' Schwalbenrauber ' (Swallow-robber). 

 This summer a man told me how he had observed one pursuing two common Swallows (Hirundo 

 rustica), which appeared to be an old and a young bird ; and it at last caught the latter. The 

 Martin (Hirundo urbica), however, appears to be safe from its attacks. Here, where this Falcon 

 only shows itself out of the breeding-season, and always in pairs, I have often carefully observed 

 the demeanour of the Swallows when they show themselves. So soon as the Falcons appeared 

 and made their peculiar aerial evolutions, all the Swallows took to flight in apparent terror ; only 

 the Martins flew somewhat higher, continually sounding an alarm ; and now and then single ones, 

 more bold than the rest, would strike at the hated robber. This, however, was done with such 

 speed and caution, that one could easily see that the swiftest of all birds of prey was before 

 them." 



Respecting its habit of chasing Swallows, the late Mr. Seidensacher, of Cilli, has also written 

 as follows : — 



" In our town the Hobbies catch the Swallows amongst the houses ; and as these latter breed 

 here abundantly, the Hobby may be seen flying about all day when it has young. Though 

 generally it obtains its prey by surprise, or by its astonishing swiftness on the wing, it sometimes 

 is very crafty ; and I once observed a Hobby in the autumn pursuing a flight of Swallows, which 

 latter reached a clump of rushes, and thus escaped the Falcon. The latter, however, began to 

 circle and rose higher and higher, extending its circles, and when it had risen to some height flew 

 away. I watched it, and observed that after it had reached a distance of several hundred paces it 

 began to circle again, and no sooner had the Swallows, rendered bolder by its absence, left the 

 refuge of the reeds, than it shot down on them with great swiftness, and was in a moment 

 amongst the terrified birds." 



Mr. J. Gatcombe sends us a note : — 



" Another time when out with my gun in the autumn I observed a Hawk flying in circles, 

 followed by a host of small birds. Suddenly it turned round, dashed out its foot and caught one 

 of them, still continuing, but widening, its circle. I rushed forward and fired, when down came 

 an adult female Hobby, dropping the little bird from its claw as it fell." 



Professor von Nordmann has published the following interesting remarks on its food and 

 vivacity : — 



"It is generally admitted that the Hobby only accidentally nests in the South of Europe; 



