18 THE BIRDS OF BRECONSHIRE. 
MERLIN, Falco esalon. 
Cannot be considered common. I have 
only seen it once on the wing near 
Brecon. A friend of mine killed one 
near the town in excellent plumage, and 
I have seen several others stuffed. This 
beautiful and bold little fellow should be 
let alone; there are plenty of small birds 
for him, and if he does occasionally fly 
at higher game by all means let him 
have it. Sir John Dilwyn Llewellyn 
thinks that this hawk is often taken on 
the wing for the male Sparrowhawk and 
that it is more common than is generally 
supposed, and his authority is not to be 
slighted. A Merlin’s nest with 4 eggs 
was taken on the Grouse Hill, at Waun- 
tinka, in the heather in June, 1888. 
KESTREL, Falco tinnunculus. 
Very common. 
The English name of Windhover 
seems most appropriate to this common 
bird, for it is always hovering in the air- 
Many writers assert it is a useful bird, 
from the quantity of mice it destroys ; 
and no doubt this is so. I think, how- 
