MERLIN. 365 



In addition to the above instances, the Hobby is reported 

 to have occurred in the undermentioned localities, no precise 

 information being given : 



Halifax (R. Leyland, 1828) ; Barden and Bolton (H. Denny, 

 1840) ; Kirklees and Castle Hill, near Huddersfield (P. Inch- 

 bald, 1859) ; Killingbeck, near Leeds (John Dixon, 1853) ; 

 Carlton and the moors west of Barnsley (T. Lister) ; Redcar, 

 one in the collection of C. C, Oxley, late of The Cliffe, sold at 

 his sale, now in the possession of Mr. T. Watson of Redcar ; one 

 at Danby, about 1870, shot by R. Raw ; Bridlington (M. 

 Lawson, 1879) ; Stainland (C. C. Hanson, 1879) ; a summer 

 visitor to Scarborough but not plentiful (A. Roberts, 1879) ; 

 one in summer plumage, killed there, is in Mr. A. Young's 

 possession at Blankney. Western Ainsty, occasionally seen, 

 one shot near Wetherby, about 1860 (Nat. 1891, p. 99) ; two 

 near Ulleskelf, about 1876 (Baynes MS.) ; Loftus-in-Cleveland, 

 has been noted and shot (K. McLean MS.) ; Easington, near 

 Spurn, one on ist September (about) 1880, now in the York 

 Museum ; Sedbergh, reported as a summer visitor, very rare 

 (W. Morris MS. 1902) ; at Colne Bridge, near Huddersfield, 

 an example was killed some years ago, and is now in the 

 possession of Mr. S. Calvert of Kirkheaton (S. L. Mosley MS.). 



MERLIN. 



Falco aesalon (Tunstall). 



Resident, breeding on the high fells and moors of the west and 

 north-east, over which it is thinly scattered. More generally dis- 

 tributed during autumn and winter, when it is occasionally observed 

 on migration. 



The first mention of the Merlin in Yorkshire is probably 

 in the Allan MS., descriptive of the Tunstall or Wycliffe-on- 

 Tees Museum, dated about 1791, where it is stated that 

 " This bird .... migrates here in October." (Fox's 

 " Synopsis," p. 53.) 



Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote : 



Falco asilon. Merlin Mentioned as occurring by almost all my 



