The Merlin 



THE Merlin is the smallest member of 

 the Falcon family found breeding in 

 the British Islands. The male bird only 

 measures some ten inches in length and is 

 therefore an inch shorter than the missel 

 thrush. The female Merlin is somewhat 

 larger than the last-named bird. 



The "Blue Hawk," or "Stone Falcon/" 

 as the Merlin is otherwise known, breeds 

 on the ground in deep heather on moors in 

 the wildest parts of the country. The nest 

 consists of a slight hollow lined with a few 

 sprigs of heather or dead grass. On rare 

 occasions the bird will use the old nest of a 

 carrion crow. 



Four or five creamy white eggs thickly 

 covered with dark reddish brown spots, and 

 blotches are laid. 



The male catches pipits, larks, and other 

 small birds for the female, whilst she is 

 sitting on the eggs. Upon returning home 



