* 
194, BIRD GALLERY. 
use of for several successive years. The eggs vary from four to six in 
number, and are pale bluish-white, blotched with reddish-brown. 
The male is always much smaller than the female. 
].—Norfolk, June. 
Presented by Lord Walsingham, 
2.—Dorset, July. 
Presented by F. Beckford, Esq. 
No. 154. MERLIN. (Falco salon.) 
The Merlin is the smallest of our British Faleons, and breeds 
throughout the moorlands and mountainous districts of the British 
Islands, with the exception of some of the southern counties of England. 
It preys chiefly on the smaller Wading-birds, Thrushes, Larks, Pipits, 
ete., and being a bird of high courage and extremely rapid flight is 
a favourite with falconers and frequently trained to take Larks. The 
nest is generally a mere hollow scratched in the ground at the foot of 
some boulder or rock, but occasionally the old nest of a Crow or Heron 
is occupied. The eggs, which are laid in May, are reddish-brown and 
from four to six in number. 
Isle of Skye, June, 
Presented by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson. 
No. 155. PEREGRINE FALCON. (Falco peregrinus.) 
Though greatly persecuted on account of the havoe it commits 
among game, this species is still fairly abundant and generally dis- 
tributed in suitable localities throughout the British Islands. It preys 
chiefly on Grouse, Partridges, Pigeons, and Ducks, as well as on 
Sea-fowl of various kinds. No nest is made ; either a slight hollow is 
scratched in the soil on some overhung ledge of an inland rock or 
sea-cliff, or an old nest of some other bird, such as the Raven, Crow, 
or Heron, is made use of. The eggs, which are from two to four in 
number, vary in colour from freckled orange-brown to rich brick-red. 
As is the case with other birds-of-prey, the female is much larger than 
the male, and the difference is conspicuous even in the young 
birds exhibited in the case. 
Ross-shire, June. 
Presented by Captain S. G. Reid & W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Esq. 
