THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHmE. 81 



being fully investigated by the Rev. Murray A. 

 Mathew (Zool. 1870, p. 2304). In this instance, the 

 keeper unhappily destroyed both the old Hobbies 

 and their young. Specimens of the Hobby are killed 

 from time to time in Devon, notwithstanding the com- 

 parative rarity of the bird within the County. Three 

 killed near Exeter are in the local museum ; the Earl 

 of Morley possesses a specimen killed at Plympton ; 

 a male Hobby preserved in the Torquay Museum, 

 was killed on Darfmoor ; Mr. F. Pershouse informs 

 me that an immature male was killed at Yarner 

 Wood, Bovey Tracey, September 1st, 1874 : my own 

 collection includes a Hobby killed in South Devon. 



MERLIN.— Faho msalon, Tuustall. 



A SCARCE autumn and winter visitant, reputed to 

 have formerly bred on Dartmoor, but chiefly met 

 with during the colder months of the year, some- 

 times lingering into April. The Rev. M. A. Mathew 

 regards this species as still breeding in Devon, and 

 the dates at which Merlins have occurred with us 

 favour the belief, but I have no evidence, myself, 

 that the Merlin nests with us. Mr. D'Urban 

 mentions half-a-dozen local specimens, killed near 

 Exeter, atSidmouth, and atDawlish ; adding, "It is 

 said to have nested near Manaton, on the borders of 

 Dartmoor " (Zool. 1881. p. 57). Others have been 

 killed near Torquay, at Plymoath, and also in the 

 North of the County: being variously trapped, shot, 

 or netted, although in no way injurious to game. 



