The Merlin. 209 



rusty spots ; the tail is about five inches long, of a dark 

 brown or blackish colour, with transverse white bars : 

 the breast is of a yellowish white, with streaks of rusty 

 brown pointing downwards ; the legs are long, slender, 

 and yellow ; the talons black. The head is encircled 

 with a row of yellowish feathers, not unlike a coronet. 

 In the male the feathers on the rump, next the tail, are 

 bluer ; a mark by which the falconers easily discern the 

 sex of the bird. The Merlin does not breed here, but 

 visits us in October : it flies low, and with great celerity 

 and ease. In the days of falconry, the Merlin was con- 

 sidere /1 the lady's hawk. 



In ancient days in ancient days, 

 When ladies took a strange delight 



In hawks and hounds and sporting ways, 

 A Merlin was a pleasant sight. 



" T was gentle when, in trappings gay, 



Upon its lady's wrist it stood ; 

 Till its hood was raised and it saw its prey, 

 When its eye betrayed the bird of blood." 



