MERLIN FALCON. 321 



primaries and tail are of a darker tint than the back ; the 

 latter with eight bands on the lateral, and six on the middle 

 feathers, of pale reddish spots, and a terminal band of greyish- 

 white. The markings on the face are as in the male, but 

 larger ; the throat is yellowish- white, bounded on each side by 

 a brown mystachial band. The lower parts are pale reddish- 

 yellow, with numerous brown spots larger than those of the 

 male, but similarly proportioned, some of the posterior lateral 

 feathers with two round white spots on each web. The lower 

 wing-coverts are brownish-red, spotted with yellowish-white ; 

 and the lower surface of the quills and tail dark brownish- 

 grey, barred with light red. 



Length to end of tail 12^ inches, to end of wings 11 ; ex- 

 tent of wangs 29 ; wing from flexure 9i ; tail 5f ; bill along 

 the ridge j|, along the edge of lower mandible \ ^ ; tarsus 1 j"^ ; 

 hind toe j\, its claw ^^g ; second toe |f, its claw ^^^ ; third 

 toe 1|^, its claw j^ ; fourth toe {^, its claw ^"g. 



Vakiations. — Males vary a little in the colour of the upper 

 parts, which in old individuals is of a fine leaden blue, in 

 younger birds tinged with brown. The bands and spots on 

 the quills and tail-feathers vary in form and extent ; and I 

 have seen individuals in which no markings remained on the 

 tail excepting the last black band, and others in which they 

 were obliterated on the middle feathers only. The red tinge 

 on the lower parts is more or less intense. The females also 

 vary, but only in slight degrees, the upper parts in old indivi- 

 duals being tinged with blue. 



Habits. — This beautiful little Falcon is by no means un- 

 common in many parts of Scotland. In the Hebrides, Shet- 

 land Islands, and various districts of the northern, middle, 

 and southern divisions of the mainland, it is now and then 

 seen. Mr Selby states that he has frequently met with it 

 in the north of England, and various authors have described it 

 as occurring in the middle and southern districts in winter, but 

 disappearing toward the end of spring. In Scotland, it cer- 

 tainly remains all the year round, for I have seen specimens 



VOL. III. Y 



