THE MERLIN 285 



the legs and feet of old and young alike are 

 yellow ; their irides brown. 



The nestlings in down are delicately dove- 

 tinted, and are at first quiet, well-behaved fellows. 

 When about a fortnight old they degenerate sadly, 

 then becoming fierce, unruly little fiends, all fluff 

 and ferocity, particularly when an intruding hand 

 is presented to them, when lying back and balancing 

 themselves awkwardly, each on its stubby tail, they 

 strike out viciously with their as yet half-sharp 

 talons. Only one brood is reared in the year. 



