254 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



nest is built on a very small projection of rock, and 

 is large even for a Raven's. Great masses of wool 

 festoon the exterior of the nest, which is well lined 

 with quantities of fur, heather branches, and more 

 wool, the whole concern being liberally " white- 

 washed," and smelling fearfully. But now collecting 

 our baggage, we reluctantly leave this charming 

 Breconshire valley, and quiet once more reigns 

 supreme ; but peaceful it can never be (that is, 

 during nest time) with two such warrior birds as 

 the Peregrine and Raven in such close proximity. 

 Long life to them both ! 



There is, I believe, only one record of a Merlin's 

 nest being found in Breconshire, and that was taken 

 on the Grouse hill at Wauntinka in June, 1888. 

 The following account, therefore, of one I found on 

 May 22nd, with three eggs, may be of some interest, 

 more especially as the Merlins had taken possession 

 of a Crow's deserted home, which is a thing of 

 extremely rare occurrence, this pretty little Falcon 

 usually laying its eggs in a scratching in the tall 

 heather : — 



Starting from the commencement, on April 4th 

 some friends and myself visited a certain little 

 valley where the Kite has certainly bred once. 

 Indeed, the old nest is still up, and this a pair of 

 Buzzards had taken possession of, and had fresh 

 lined it with dead bracken stalks and leaves. Both 

 Buzzards flew from the vicinity of the nest, and were 

 rather noisy, so I fully expected to find their eggs 

 there on May 4th, vv^hich was the next time I visited 



