174 BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



chosen in coastal and mountainous districts, but elsewhere 

 it nests freely in trees. In the latter case an old nest 

 of some other species is utilised — usually a Crow's or a 

 Ring -Dove's. The eggs are more numerous than the 

 Peregrine's, from four to six being the usual number. 

 They may be laid by April. The colours are similar to 

 those of the Peregrine ; but the eggs are more uniformly 

 tinted, only the brick-red tone being usually present. The 

 young are of the usual t3^e. 



THE MERLIN 



(Faico aesalon). 



As already remarked, the Falcons give their name to 

 the whole family, which includes all our native Birds-of- 

 Prey ; but of the Falcons in the strict sense we have only 

 four to deal with. The third is this species, which is 

 similar to the Kestrel, but considerably smaller. The 

 wings are shorter and the flight more dashing. The prey 

 consists of small birds which are easily caught on the 

 wing ; even a Swallow is pm'sued with swiftness equal to 

 its own, and followed turn for turn. As regards both 

 agriculture and game-preserving it may be considered as 

 practically non-injurious. It nests in very small numbers 

 over much of Ireland and throughout Great Britain from 

 Wales and the northern Midlands to Shetland. In winter 

 it also occm's in the southern English counties. At that 

 season it often frequents estuaries and similar haunts, 

 preying on Dunlins, and the like. Its nest is usually a 

 hollow in the moorland heather ; the four to aix eggs 

 are deep brownish red in colour. 



