76 THE MERLIN. 



■which its attention was directed, and to turn aside after a passing beetle or grasshopper. 

 Although it is by no means a powerful bird, and seldom of its own free will attacks any 

 prey larger than a lark, it has been successfully trained to fly at pigeons, and has even been 

 known to strike down so comparatively large a quany as the partridge. When in a state 

 of domestication, its food should consist chiefly of the smaller birds, and it may also be fed 

 upon beef cut into small pieces and very fresh. Its temper is so gentle, and its disposition 

 so mild and docile, that it is easily tamed and taught to obey the instructions of its 

 owner. It is also very hardy in constitution, so that it is well adapted to the purpose of 

 those who wish to possess a trained hawk, but do not care for flying it at the larger game. 



The nest of the Hobby is almost invariably built among the branches of a lofty tree, 

 and is never placed upon a rocky ledge except under very peculiar circumstances. The 

 eggs are from two to five in number, these being the usual orange, and some of a greyish- 

 white tint, irregularly specified over their whole surface with spots of reddish-brown. 



The colour of the adult Holiby is of a greyish-black upon the back and upjier 

 portions, the tint softening into a blue-grey as the bird increases in years. Each feather 

 is slightly edged with yellowish white, and the primaries and secondaries are black- 

 brown, edged with greyish-white. The tail is grey-black, barred on its upper surface 

 with the lighter hue in all the feathers except the two central rectrices. The lower 

 surface of the tail is barred with black and greyish-white. The chin of the male is pure 

 white, that of the female lieing of a duller tint, and tlie breast and abdomen are yellowish- 

 white marked with longitudinal splashes of dai'k brown. The cere is greenish-yellow, the 

 claws black, and the beak a slatj^-brown colour, deepening into black at the tip. In the 

 young bird the upper surface is much darker than in the adult, or the feathers are nearly 

 black in the centre, and are edged with reddish-brown. The general form of the body is 

 elegant and slender, and the tips of the wings project beyond the tail, so that when the 

 bird is hovering in the air, it bears some resemblance to a common swallow or swift. 



Although of the smallest of the British Falconidpe, being only from ten to thirteen 

 inches in length, according to the sex of the individual, the MsELm is one of the most 

 dashing and brilliant of all the hawks which frequent our island. 



This beautiful little bird is almost invaluable to the young falconer, as it is so docile 

 in disposition, and so remarkably intelligent in character, that it repays his instructions 

 much sooner than any of the more showy, but less teachable Falcons. Every movement 

 of this admiraljle little hawk is full of life and vivacity ; its head turns sharply from side 

 to side as it sits on its master's hand, its eyes almost flame with fiery eagerness, and it ever 

 and anon gives vent to its impatience by a volley of ear-piercing shrieks. There is, 

 however, a singular capriciousness in the character of the Merlin, for it seems to be so 

 sensitive to certain influences which are quite imperceptible to human organization, that 

 the same individual which on one day or at one hour is full of fierce energy, chasing 

 large and powerful Itirds of its own accord, following tire erratic course of the snipe witli 

 a wing as agile and far more enduring than its own, or shooting siiddenly through the 

 tangled branches of the underwood in pursuit of some prey that is fleeing to the leafy 

 abode for refuge, will at another time become listless and inanimate, and even if it be 

 induced to fly at its quarry, will turn suddenly away as if alarmed, and return languidly 

 to its perch. 



With all these drawbacks, however, the Merlin is one of the veiy best little hawks 

 that ever was put into training, for it can be taught to fly at anything tliat is indicated, 

 and seems to care nothing for disparity of size. As a general rule, the smaller ha\\'ks are 

 unable to fly systematically at any prey larger than a lark or a thrush, but the Merlin has 

 no scruples on the point of size, and will freely dash at a snipe, a partridge, or a grouse, at 

 the desire of its owner. One of these birds has been known to make voluntary chase of 

 a magpie, and to follow it up with tlie greatest perseverance. The great point in the 

 instruction of this bird seems to he that the teacher must never permit his charge to 

 feed upon any bird smaller than a snipe or partridge, nor, if possible, must he allow 

 it to see a sparrow, or even a thrush. 



Before the young bird is able to tear to pieces its winged prey, it should always 



