: In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 107 
the air with a motion peculiar to itself, having the shoulders of the 
wings more or less tightly compressed against its side; while the 
female adopted a more regular, and measured mode of flight. A 
Kestrel crossed us at some distance when I was out with him, which 
he at once pronounced to be a female, from the style of its flight. 
Falco Afsalon, “The Merlin.” On extending my enquiries con- 
cerning the prevalence of this little Falcon, I find that it is far more 
frequently to be met with in this district than I at first anticipated. 
I have met with one instance of it coming under my own observation 
in this parish; but from never having seen it before in these parts, 
and not even knowing of its prevalence, I, at the time, mistook it 
_ for a Kestrel—though I have no doubt now it was a hen Merlin. 
It was in the autumn months, some six years ago, that in crossing 
_ Longford Park I witnessed a most exciting chase between this bird 
and a Skylark. The pursuit lasted for some time, during which I 
counted no less than fourteen stoops that the Falcon made at the 
Lark. In each case it was unsuccessful. The Lark mounting above 
the Faleon so quickly, and with such apparent ease, that I am quite 
doubtful about the result of the chase, which was hidden from me 
by the trees. Mr. Hayden, of Fordingbridge, once offered me a fine 
_ male bird in adult plumage, for which he asked me the high price 
_ of two guineas, on account of the rarity of so perfectly plumaged a 
bird being killed in the immediate neighbourhood; while at the 
same time he sold me a fine specimen of the male Hobby for seven- 
and-sixpence; the difference in price sufficiently illustrating the 
comparative rarity of the two species in this district. On consulting 
‘Mr. Hart, of Christchurch, however, he writes me word: “ Merlin 
and Hobby killed frequently :” and on making a second enquiry of 
him concerning the prevalence of the Merlin in these parts, he 
writes : “I find the Merlin is nearly as often killed as the Hobby. 
. Possibly the Hobby may be killed oftener, but it does not find its 
way to me.” Since this, I may add, I have seen Mr. Hart per- 
-sonally, who corroborated his assertion by showing me several fine 
Merlins he had himself shot within the last year or two—one of 
which (a male in perfect plumage) he killed; while attacking some 
of his own rents This latter bird is in exceptionally fine plumage 
