MERLIN.
at this srasou tint they must 1« nesting somewhere ba the neighbourhood. In Perthshire I b a n seen
Titlarks, Whontears, and large moths brought to their young. I also noticed some leathers apparentlybelonging
to the King-Ouzel. On one occasion I stumped down a couple or nestlings just ready to lly; and
as they were well (applied by their parents, 1 had a good opportunity of observing their bill of Tare. Though
it was in the centre of a well-stocked moor, 1 detected no indications of damage to game. A brood or youug
Grouso, with hardly a feather Upon them, were running among the heather at the distance of only a few yards
when 1 t r e t discovered the young Falcons. I have never noticed the unfledged young of any species taken
by (he Merlin. In Sutherland and Caithness, where Dunlins are more common during the nesting-season,
they appeal to h a t e a partiality for these small Waders. I have also seen the remains of Snipe and Titlarks
and the wings of the Egger moth scattered in considerable numbers round their haunts iu this county. The
Common Sandpiper is occasionally attacked. One summer, while lishing on the Lyon, in Perthshire, I observed
a Merlin dash down in pursuit of a bird of this species that was flitting across the river. Hnrely evading
the swoop of the Falcon, it took to the water and dived instantly, making its way below the surface till it
reached the shelter of some spreading bushes. Tin' Merliu, apparently sulky at his failure, or puzzled by the
disappearance of bis intended victim in such an unexpected manner, pitched in a tree close by, where he
remained perfectly motionless for over an hour.
The position of their nests varies considerably. I have seen them placed among the heather on the flat
moors, and on more than one occasion on small ledges in the face of steep rocks. The construction of their
cradle is not particularly elaborate, small heather-stalks, root*, and fine twigs and fibres of grass being utilized
in the construction; it, however, as a rule, fits cosily into some natural hollow in the ground.
Several years ago, while searching for a male of this species which I had knocked down broken-winged
among some large rocks near his nest ing-p lace, I stumbled on the best-concealed whiskey-still I ever came
across; the exciseman who makes a discovery in this case without the assistance of previous information will
be particularly cute.
Early in July 1S0S, during a continuance of remarkably hot weather which succeeded several weeks of
almost incessant rain, I came across a nest of this species in Sutherland, where all the eggs were bad. Oue
was perfectly empty, w bile the rest appeared scarcely above half the ordinary weight. The keepers had known
of this nest some weeks, and were well aware that the birds ought in the usual course to have hatched off a
considerable time curlier. I have seen it stated that eggs arc soon deserted if their vitulity is destroyed by
damp or other causes; in this ease, however, both parents continued sitting, as, on passing the spot twice
during the day, 1 disturl>ed on the first occasion the male and subsequently the female from the nest. Birds
of prey, arc 1 believe, as a rule, less suspicious of interference with their nests or eggs tbau most other species.
I have already mentioned the case of the Buzzard; I also tried the same experiment with the lien-Harrier,
and found the female just as easily imposed upon. I have also known Osproys and Eagles to sit on their nests
after the eggs had been carried oil'. A shepherd in the west assured me that he bad watched a Gulden Eagle
return ami pitch on her nest in which he had placed the head of a lamb, having previously removed her two
eggs. The bird, be declared, appeared perfectly contented; but on visiting the siiot on the following day, he
found the head lying at the foot of the rocks, and the nest deserted.
K E S T R E L .
FALCO TINNUNCULUS.
Tim Kestrel is without doubt the most numerous as well as the best known of the Hawk tribe t i n t frequent
the British Islands. In every county and in t h e greater part of the islands I have visited, this species appears
common, readily adapting its mode of living to the naturo of the country it inhabits.
Though not generally so regarded, it is one of our most useful birds, being a decided ally both to the
farmer and the game-preserver. I have been so frequently assured that Kestrels have been detected preying
upon young game, that I suppose some misguided old bird must, when greatly pressed by the care* of providing
for a hungry brood, have snatched some precocious young Pheasant from the neighbourhood of (be cnojw,
and, like many another poor bungling thief, been caught at the first attempt, white the greater rogues go free.
The rats alone that these birds destroy while procuring food for their young would commit ten times more
damage in one year than the poor inoffensive Kestrels could possibly effect in their whole lives. I observe
most authors draw attention to the number or mice On which this species preys, and simply mention rats as
rather an exception to the general bill of fare. I particularly remarked some years hack, when I was engaged
in taking notes regarding their food and habits, that rats (none less than tbrcc-parts grown and many fullsized)
formed a part, and in some instances the whole, of the rood that the old birds had providixl for their
brood at a dozen nests I examined in various districts in Scotland.
During the winter of 1831 I had several opportunities of observing the prey captured by a couple of
Keatrels that frequented the rush-marshrs in the neighbourhood of one of the larger broads in the east
of Norfolk. It was seldom that they strayed far from two or three plantations which Termed their head
quarters, being usually Been, at almost any hour of the day, hunting over the marshes or perched on either
some small bush or (he raised bank of a water-dyke. lu every instance when I examined the spot where
they had devoured their prey, I discovered that they had been feeding on the Largo brown field-mouse.
Occasionally they appeared to have consumed every portion of flesh, bone, ami skin, and tho only vestige
remaining was that portion of the intestine containing the green food on which these animals subsist; at times
they had plucked otr a considerable quantity of the fur, which was scattered in small clots round the open
space where they had made their meal.
I never yet heard of the young of either Partridges or Pheasants being carried off from wild broods;
neither have I seen young Grouse among the victims on their nrs (lug-places. Since the habits of birds of
prey are gradualb becoming better understood by game-preservers, and a* keepers (with but very fewexceptions)
are by no means the ignorant class of mcu that certain writers have been pleased to describe them,
it may !»• honed that the Kestrel will long continue as plentiful as It now is. I am ooavineed that, if only
the neighbourhood of the coops were strictly guarded, hut little barm could possibly be laid to their charge.
I t frequently happens that the blame is laid on those that are by no means the most guilty. There is
little doubt that the losses attributed to the Kestrel are in many instances inflicted by Sparmw.Hawks or