270 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



are comparatively scarce, especially as summer 

 advances, and this too in spite of their fledged 

 broods) with sundry, passing species, are all 

 chased and often captured. Of larger deer, 

 Dunlins, Plovers, Snipe, and occasionally Grouse 

 and in my own experience the " cheepers " only 

 of the last-mentioned kind (indeed, I doubt if an 

 adult Grouse is ever knocked down) succumb to its 

 persistent and rapid attacks, while the bill of fare 

 is pleasantly varied by the easy conquest of large 

 moths and beetles. 



I like to watch the Merlin in pursuit of its 

 intended quarry. Swiftly across the heather or 

 along the bare screes a silent, winged horror to 

 the prospective victim the game little hawk follows 

 with machine-like precision every twist and turn 

 of its prey. The latter strains its every nerve to out- 

 distance its grim pursuer. It doubles, it redoubles, 

 generally all to no purpose. Practically its only 

 chance and a poor one at that of eluding death 

 is to seek and sink into thick covert, not always 

 easy to find on the bleak fell or barren moorland. 

 Should it fail in this almost futile endeavour, it 

 will surely succumb to its relentless tyrant ; for 

 skilfully watching its opportunity the Merlin rises 

 somewhat and hurls itself in true Peregrine style 

 on its now dazed and panic-stricken prey : then 

 away to some stone, hillock, post, or stiff bunch 

 of heather, on which to devour its ill-gotten meal. 

 That is the Merlin's usual way of procuring a 



