322 FALCO 7ESAL0N. 



killed at all seasons. Among the Pcntland Hills, and those of 

 the Greywacke range extending from St Abb's Head westward, 

 it is met with in summer dispersed in pairs at long intervals ; 

 but in winter it forsakes the higher grounds and betakes itself 

 to the plains. 



The flight of this species more resembles that of the Sparrow 

 Hawk than of the Peregrine Falcon. It sweeps along, at no 

 great height, glides over the fields, shoots by the edge of the 

 wood, examines the thorn fence, and sometimes alights on a 

 tree or wall, as if to survey the ground. Although it may 

 occasionally pounce on a partridge, it usually preys on smaller 

 birds, such as larks, thrushes, chaffinches, sandpipers, snipes, 

 and plovers. In September 1882, I shot at Musselburgh an 

 individual which had just secured a sanderling after a long 

 pursuit. In the island of Harris, many years ago, I had one 

 which had come to the ground with a starling, and was caught 

 by a herd boy. The crops and stomachs of all those which I 

 have dissected contained exclusively small birds ; but it is said 

 to prey upon insects also, which is very probable, they being a 

 favourite food of most small hawks. 



The place which the INIerlin chooses for its nest is some re- 

 tired spot among the hills, generally in the midst of heath or 

 on rocky ground. The nest is rudely constructed of some twigs 

 and tufts of heath, and the eggs, three or four in number, great- 

 ly resemble those of the Kestrel, being broadly elliptical, about 

 an inch and seven-twelfths in length, an inch and two-twelfths 

 in breadth, light red, or reddish- white, confusedly dotted, fre- 

 quently also spotted or blotched, with deep red. Should one 

 approach the nest, especially when there are young in it, the 

 Merlins fly around and over head with great anxiety, uttering 

 shrill cries, but keeping at a safe distance. 



I believe there are few additional facts to be gleaned in our 

 best ornithological books, and my correspondents seem to have 

 little knowledge of the Merlin, for the only one who has sent 

 me some notes respecting it is Mr Hepburn, who says : — " It 

 is a rare bird in East Lothian, where it is named the Rock 

 Hawk, from the circumstance of its nest being placed on the 

 ground amongst rocks in such situations as the south side of 



