194 BIRD nALI.ERV. 



birds sclrctcd a depression in the soil wliere two sheep-walks intersected 

 one nnotlier at rii;ht anf^les. The eggs, from four to six in niunliei', 

 are bluish-wliite, sometimes s])otted witli rusty brown. 



The aibilt birds differ ;;reatly in colour, tlic male being- grey while the 

 female is brown, with various mai'kings. 



Suthci'iandshire, May. 



Presented hi/ Cu/oni-/ L. //. Trl)}/ tV Captu'ni S. G. Rehh 



No. 153. Sparrow-hawk. (Accipiter nisus.) 



This eommou and rapacious species is generally distriljuted through- 

 out the British Islands, wlicrevcr there arc woodlands suited to its 

 habits. It preys chiefly on liirds, and, during the breeding-season, 

 often does great execution among the young of game-birds and poultry. 

 It usually constructs a nest of sticks, lined witli twigs, and places it in 

 a tree at a considerable heiglit from the ground ; but the old nest of a 

 Ciow, Wood-Pigeon, or othei' bird is sometimes renovated and made 

 use of for several successive years. The eggs vary from four to six in 

 number, and are pale blnisli-white, blotched with reddish-brown. 



The male is always much smaller than the female. 



1. — Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by Lord IValsingham. 



2. — Dorset, July. 

 Presented by F. Jieckford, Esq. 



No. 154. MERLIN. (Falco sesalon.) 



The Merlin is the smallest of oui- British Falcons, and breeds 

 tlirougliout the moorlands and mountainous districts of the British 

 Islands, with the (>\ception of some of tlie southern counties of England. 

 It preys chiefly on the smaller Wading-birds, Thrushes, Larks, Pipits, 

 etc., and being a bird of high courage and extremely rapid flight is 

 a favourite witii falconers and frequently trained to take Ijarks. The 

 nest is generally a mere hollow scratched in the ground at the foot of 

 some l)oulder or rock, but occasionally the old nest of a Crow or Heron 

 is occupied. The eggs, which are laid in May, are reddish brown and 

 from four to six in numlx'r. 



Isle of Skye, June. 



Presented by the Rev. H. A. Mucpherson. 



