t86 
Allen’s naturalist’s library. 
On its first arrival in May, however, before the insects which 
it loves are on the wing, the Hobby feeds on small birds, such 
as Thrushes and Larks, especially the latter, and it is a terror 
to Swallows, remains of which birds are often found in its nest 
and feeding-haunts. It has even been known to catch Swifts 
and Starlings ; Sandpipers and Quails are also taken by this 
active little Bird of Prey. It has also been known to accom- 
pany sportsmen, and give chase to the small birds which are 
frightened up from the ground by the dogs. 
Its favourite haunts are the borders of the forests, whence it 
can sally forth over the surrounding fields. Perched on a tree 
or a stone, it awaits the appearance of any small birds, and 
then flings itself upon them with great velocity, producing 
cpiite a noise with its wings in doing so. Should the quarry 
.seek protection by hiding in the grass, the Hobby stops for an 
instant, but goes off if it does not at once detect the presence 
of its prey. 
Nest. — The Hobby appears never to build its own nest, pre- 
ferring to appropriate the old one of a Crow or Kestrel Hawk. 
I he late Professor Taczanowski of Warsaw, from whose writ- 
ings I have taken some of the above notes, states that the ap- 
propriated nest is generally at the top of a good-sized pine, and 
that the Hobbies re-line it with twigs, stalks, and dry grass. 
Mr. Frank Norgate, who has found several nests in Nor- 
folk, says that, in his experience, there is no attempt on the 
part of the Plobby to restore or line the nest which it adopts 
as a home. In Pomerania, however, Dr. Holland says that 
the nest is re-lined with hair, wool, and feathers. The lateness 
of the breeding of the Hobby, which lays its eggs in June, 
lenders the appropriation of a Crow's nest a convenient matter’ 
as the young of the Carrion Crow have flown before the Hobby 
begins to lay. 
Eggs. — From three to five in number. In general appearance 
they resemble those of the Kestrel, but are not so varied in 
colour as the latter, though many specimens are indistinguish- 
able from the eggs of the last-named bird. The general 
colour of the Hobby’s eggs is a dark rufous, the ground-colour 
of the egg being seldom visible, on account of the closeness of 
the rufous mottlings. It is of a dull white, and, in the less 
