WINTER VISITORS. 



«ce: 



Order I.— RAPT ORES. 



Family — FALCONiDiE. 



Merlin {Falco ^salon). The Merlin is not a 

 common hawk here, although individuals have been 

 observed and taken at various times, and generally 

 in the winter months, in different parts of the two 

 counties. 



I find by a reference to my note-book, that upon 

 the 2 1st March, 1867, I saw a fine male Merlin which 

 had been trapped by one of the keepers in Windsor 

 Great Park a day or two previously. This bird, 

 which I saw in the flesh, was in excellent condition. 

 Mr. Fisher, of High Street, Eton, had procured it 

 for the purpose of preserving. 



Another fine specimen was shot in Berkshire in 

 the early part of the year 1867: it was an adult male 

 in full plumage, and was taken by the ' person who 

 shot it to Mr. Hasell, of Windsor, by whom it was 

 preserved. 



