M E R L I N .
FALCO MS ALÓN.
Tnnroit the true homo of this dashing little Falcon is without doubt In tlie laud of the heather and mist, I
caa wifely assert from my own experience that it is widely distributed over the British Islands. I have met
with the nests and eggs within a short distance of John o' Groats, and obtained immature specimens both on
the Kentish shingle-hanks and the clilfs near the Land's Eud. Not an autumn that I have passed in East
Norfolk has gone by without several having been noticed sweeping over t h e Snipe-marshes in tin-vicinity of
the coast; and on several occasions 1 have come across their breeding-stations in the (Jitter Hebrides.
The Merlin seems as much at home on the steepest hillsides or the Central and Western Highlands as
it does on the flat moors of the north and cast. I have but once seen the adult male further south than the
fells of Cumberland; in this instance I was surprised to notice a fine old bird, which dashed past me in front
of the beaters while a wood was being driven in East Norfolk; this was in the month of December. In April
18711, while driving along the coast-road between Shorebam and Lancing, my alteation was attracted by a
small Hawk that skimmed close past the trap and settled on a ridge of beach a few yards distant, front the
rising tide. The bird was so intently watching the actions of a large [lock of Dotterel and Dunlins wheeling
over the sands, that it took not the slightest notice of ray approach. As it sat so low in the shingle, I eoaM
scarcely make out the species; so, waiting until it made a move, I obtained a shot, and then discovered it was
on immature male of this species, with only ft few blue bathers showing on the back. Tho Date is taken front
this specimen, and clearly shows tho state of plumage. With this single exception, all the Merlins I have
observed in the south of England have been cither old or young females, or moles in too early a stage to
Cm the South Downs these Hawks are not uufrequcntly captured in the nets of the bird-catchers. Al
times they dash suddenly down with on impetuous swoop and destroy the brace-birds; occasionally they
approach in a moro cautious manner. I have noticed them settle first at some short distance, and then drawon
towards their intended prey. In one instance a very young Falcon alighted on the pull-line, when- it
remained for several minutes, regardless of half a dozen persons within a distance of twenty yards, its attention
l>eing apparently entirely engrossed by the decoys in t h e net.
I t is stated on good authority that this species wUl attack birds of consi
vations, however, would lead me to believe that it will seldom fly at any prey of
consequently the dnmogo it inflicts on game must 1« exceedingly slight.
izc ; my own ohserrcight
than a Snipe;
The rood they procure in order to supply their young varies according to tho district in which they arc
found. In the Hebrides I observed they preyed principally on Snipe and Thrushes; and a pair mat till within
a short distance of the lodge when1 I was staying in 1*77, whose depredations I had a good opportunity of
watching, carried o[f, in addition to their usual victims, o splendid male White Wagtail and a pair of
Redwings, greatly to my disgust, as I was intending to search out their nest, being convinced by their presence