THE HOBBY. 
their pursuer by boldly plunging into the deep snow, and 
| tunnelling a way for themselves beneath its shelter, where 
| they wait until their enemy has left the spot.” 
In the “ good old times,” when hawking was the great and all- 
engrossing sport of the day, the ger-falcon was a bird in great 
demand ; its powers of flight and boldness in striking its prey 
were considered as scarcely inferior to the eagle itself. Fabu- 
lous prices are said to have been given for them; and it is 
recorded in the traditions of hawking that one Sir Thomas 
Monson, or Morrison, who lived in the reign of James VI., 
gave no less a sum than a thousand pounds for a “ cast ” of 
ger-falcons, which consists of two birds. 
! 
THE HOBBY. 
This member of the hawk family, though measuring but 
from twelve to fourteen inches in length, in general formation 
bears a striking resemblance to the peregrine falcon. The wings 
of the former bird are, however, comparatively longer than 
those of the latter, and are on their lower parts longitudinally 
streaked with brownish black. The extended wings of the 
female hobby measure, from tip to tip, twenty inches, and 
those of the male twenty- six. In colour it is brown above, 
whitish and spotted brown underneath ; the thighs and lower 
part of the belly are dusky red, and it has an irregular patch 
of black on each cheek. 
So rare a visitor is the hobby to this country, that but very 
few English naturalists have had the opportunity of writing 
its description from personal observation. It is common in 
France, Germany, and other European countries, and is occa- 
sionally met even in the deserts of Siberia and Tartary. Its 
time for arriving in England is in April, and it stays with us 
till October. It builds its nest in very high trees, and the 
female lays three or four whitish eggs, unequally spotted with 
olive-coloured points, and in size are not quite so large as those 
of a bantam. 
The natural prey of the hobby are the various members of 
the finch tribe and larks. M. Temminck asserts they likewise 
pursue small river -birds. The speed of this bird is marvellous. 
“ It has often been observed,” remarks a naturalist, “ pur- 
suing a lark, and it is astonishing to watch how dexterously 
the latter creature avoids the fatal stroke until it becomes 
fatigfhed. When a hen harrier has joined in the chase, it has 
