264 
Lieut. C. H. T. Whitehead on the 
After the Goshawk and Peregrine, this is the favourite 
amongst local falconers. The price ranges from Ks. 7 to 
Rs. 14 for a good female. 
[1260.] Falco subbuteo. The Hobby. 
Fulton, J. B. N. H. S. xvi. p. 60 (Chitral : one specimen 
obtained in May) ; Rattray, t. c. p. 663 (rare in the Murree 
Hills; breeds); Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 729 (breeds in the 
higher hills of Kashmir). 
Mr. Donald states that this species is fairly common in 
spring and that he has observed it as late as May. I came 
across three individuals in beautiful adult plumage in 
February near Lachi; they were flying backwards and for¬ 
wards, sparring at each other, and occasionally perching 
in a tree close by, while constantly uttering a cry which 
sounded like “ gyak-gyak.” 
[1263.] iEsALON regulus. The Merlin. 
Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii. p. 729 (widely distributed in 
winter). 
This bird is fairly common from October till the middle of 
March; it is more often seen about the grass-farm and the 
Yarma and Lachi plains than elsewhere. It migrates over 
the Samana in March. It is seldom trained in this district. 
[1264.] iEsALON chicquera. The Red-headed Merlin or 
Turumti. 
An occasional visitor, but by no means common. I have 
only twice seen the Turumti; on one occasion the bird shot 
down just in front of me to take a Starling flying in to 
roost, and started to tear it up close by, giving me a splendid 
view through my glasses. Mr. Donald says that he has met 
with this species in Kohat in most months of the year. He 
has a great opinion of its courage, and has trained it to take 
Rollers (a bird a great deal bigger than itself), while he has 
known a pair to tackle a Blue Rock-Pigeon. It is a fairly 
common resident, he says, in the adjoining Districts of 
Peshawar and Mianwali. Major Magrath has also found it 
not uncommon in Bannu. The wide open plains of these 
Districts are more to its liking than the confined valleys of 
Kohat. 
