128 
HOBBY. 
retiring after incubation to spend the winter in 
some warmer country, — Asia most probably, for 
specimens have been received from continental 
India perfectly identical. In this country it 
arrives in April, leaving again in October. It 
occurs chiefly in the richer and more enclosed 
districts, being evidently a bird delighting in 
woods, where it can sally forth to prey in an 
open tract. It breeds on trees, sometimes among 
the forsaken nests of the crow or magpie ; and 
the eggs are described as of a bluish-white with 
olive-green or yellowish blotches.* This is a 
colouring of the eggs at variance with all those 
of all our other British Falcons, and is more akin 
to what we see in Astur and Circus , the Gos- 
hawks and Harriers. Mr Yarrell, however, says 
they are similar in form and colour to those of 
the other Falcons.f The most favourite pursuit 
of this Hawk seems to be the lark ; both Montague 
and Mr Selby mention having witnessed the 
chase, and of its very marked predilection for 
this prey. It is extremely active, and was 
formerly trained to “ hawk,” and Quails and Larks 
were the principal game, though Partridges were 
sometimes attempted. It was not, however, held 
in great respect for this sport 
* Temm. Man. i. p. 27. 
t Brit. Birds, p. 42. 
