228 FALCO tESALON. 



correct, so far as my own examination has gone. I 

 have never seen a female merlin more than thirteen 

 and a half inches in length, nor a male less than tvi^elve. 

 In this respect also the merlin is allied to the kestrel. 

 Montagu, however, states that the length of a male 

 which he has described was ten inches, and its weight 

 about five ounces ; while those of the female were 

 twelve inches and a half, and nine ounces. 



According to authors, the Merlin is generally distri- 

 buted over Europe and the north of Asia. Dr Richard- 

 son found it in the British settlements in North Ame- 

 rica. It is said to be easily tamed, and was formerly 

 employed in the chase, having been flown at larks, 

 quails, and other small birds. 



By the country people it is named the Sparrow 

 Hawk, it being by them generally confounded with the 

 bird which properly bears that name. The name Mer- 

 lin is derived from the French Emerillon. 



Falco Litho-falco. Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 47. Adult. 

 Falco iEsalon. Lath. Ind. Ornith, vol. i. p. 49. Female and 



Young. 

 Stone Falcon. Mont. Ornith. Diet. Appen. Adult Male. 

 Merlin. Mont, d'' Ornith. Diet. Adult Male and Female. 

 Faucon Emerillon. Falco ^Esalon. Temm. Man. d'Orn. p. 27. 

 Merlin. Falco ^ salon. Selby, Illustr. vol. i. p. 51. 

 Falco iEsalon. Merlin. Flem. Brit. Anim. p. 50. 



