The Merlin 



of England it is rarely seen. The nest is a mere " scrape " 

 among the heather, or when near the sea-coast a former Crow's 

 nest on a cliff is frequently appropriated, and it has been 

 known to lay its eggs in old nests on trees. The eggs are 

 very like those of the Hobby and Kestrel, from which they 

 can with difficulty be distinguished. 



The Merlin preys almost entirely on small birds ; its 

 flight is very swift and powerful and it is very bold, 

 attacking birds as large as itself. Larks and Thrushes are 

 its favourite prey, and on the sea-shore it is very fond of 

 Dunlins and other kinds of Sandpipers. 



Resident with us throughout the year, it nevertheless 

 wanders about a good deal during the winter and becomes 

 generally distributed, but the adults for the most part remain 

 near their breeding haunts. 



The adult male is slate grey on the back, throat white, 

 under parts huffish, striped with dark brown. Length 

 11 in. ; wing 7*8 in. 



The female is browner above and with pale under parts. 

 She is also rather larger than the male. The young resemble 

 the female but they are more rufous in tint. 



THE RED-FOOTED FALCON 



Falco vespertinus, Linnaeus 



This species is commonest in Eastern Europe, and is 

 gradually extending its range northwards ; it migrates to 

 Africa in winter. Some thirty examples have at long 



215 



