94 BULLETIN 17 0, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



eggs hatched on the twenty-ninth day, and Paton gives 30 days (mini- 

 mum 29.) On the whole I think about 29 days would be a fair average. 

 In a case recorded by H. S. Gladstone (1910) hatching was spread over 

 3 days, so probably in this case incubation began before the clutch 

 was complete. 



The young are fed by the female, who leaves her station and takes 

 the prey from the male, not at the nest, but generally at or near one 

 of the perching places in the neighborhood. The young remain in 

 the nest for 25 to 26 or 27 days but stay in the vicinity for some time 

 longer. Only one brood is reared in the season. 



Plumages. — The plumages are fully described in Witherby's Hand- 

 book (1924, vol. 2, pp. 116-118) and need not be repeated here at 

 length. The male is readily recognizable by his slaty-blue upper 

 parts, while the tail has a conspicuous broad black band; the hen is 

 not unlike a hen kestrel but lacks the reddish-brown color, which is 

 replaced by brown in which the red is lacking. The flight, however, 

 is quite different — low, eager, and dashing. 



Food.— The food of the merlin consists almost entirely of small 

 passerine birds, very largely meadow pipits, but also occasionally sky- 

 larks, twites, linnets, yellow buntings, ring ouzels, and song thrushes, 

 while over 20 other species have been recorded from time to time. 

 Besides these small birds up to the size of the mistle thrush and 

 starling, downy young of grouse are known to be taken at times, but 

 only in the very early stages, and larger birds, such as the smaller 

 waders, and even the golden plover, lapwing, rock dove, and lesser 

 tern have been recorded as taken. Mammals (voles and one record of 

 rabbit), insects in small numbers, and lizards complete the bill of fare. 



Behavior. — Although so small a bird, the merlin is extremely bold. 

 Dr. H. L. Saxby (1874) says of it: "I have repeatedly seen it, with 

 rapid swoops and loud menacing cries, send a cat sneaking home from 

 under a hedge, and I once saw it openly attack a full grown Hooded 

 Crow; only desisting when, attracted by the outcry, two old ones 

 came hurriedly to the rescue. * * * More than once I have 

 known it to seize a newly shot golden plover as it fell, and although 

 unable to lift it many inches from the ground, and constantly com- 

 pelled to drop it, make such good use of its opportunity as to be far 

 beyond reach with it by the time the shouting and gesticulating 

 shooter, having reloaded, was at liberty to follow in pursuit." J. G. 

 Millais (1892) also once saw a merlin dash at a black cock and send it 

 sprawling. Saxby (1874) also says that it is very easily tamed and 

 becomes a most docile and intelligent pet. One that was allowed full 

 liberty could be instantly recalled by waving about in the sunlight 

 a tin basin in which its food was usually kept. 



Voice. — This has been very well and carefully described by Rowan 

 (1921-22). First of all there is the alarm note, a rapidly repeated 



