THE KITE. iJ9 



authority just quoted, " is very similar to that of the 

 sparrow-hawk, being rapid, protracted, and devious. 

 But it generally flies at a greater height than that bird, 

 although you may also see it skimming over the field 

 or copses, and gliding along the hedges. It often 

 captures small birds by thus coming upon them un- 

 awares ; but it may be as often seen pursuing one in 

 the open sky, and ultimately securing it, sometimes 

 after a long chase. It perches on a stone or crag, 

 apparently for the purpose of inspecting the neighbour- 

 hood, and from its situation, should a flock of small 

 birds come up, it pounces upon an individual, from 

 the pursuit of which it is not drawn by the presence of 

 others. Its prey consists of larks, chaffinches, thrushes, 

 pipers, and partridges, though very rarely. 



Some authors also state that it occasionall_y feeds on 

 beetles and other insects, which is a habit common to 

 all the small hawks as well as most owls. The merlin 

 is by no means a common bird; it is perhaps more 

 frequent in Scotland than in any other part of the 

 British dominions, where it appears to be a constant 

 resident. It visits England in October, about the time 

 the hobby retires, but even then seldom penetrates far- 

 ther south than Cumberland, where Dr. Latham informs 

 us it has been found more than once with four young 

 ones placed on the ground. " In the middle of a high 

 clump of heath there were found, on the moors of 

 Northumberland, three young ones about half grown, 

 but no nest. They were well concealed, and could not have 

 been discovered but by a setting dog making a point 

 at them. The eggs are said to be of a plain choco- 

 late colour, and an instance has been known of the 

 bii'ds depositing them in a deserted crow's nest." 



