MERLIN. 63 



back and wing-coverts fine blue grey,* the shaft of each 

 feather forming a dark central line ; wing-primaries pitch 

 black ; upper surface of the tail-feathers bluish grey over 

 two-thirds of their length, with slight indications of three 

 dark bands, the distal third nearly uniform black, the tips 

 of all the feathers white ; the chin and throat white ; 

 breast, belly, thighs, and under tail-coverts, rufous, with 

 brow T n central patches, and darker brown streaks ; under 

 surface of the tail-feathers barred with two shades of grey, 

 a broad dark terminal band, and white tips ; legs and toes 

 yellow ; claws black. 



In the female, the top of the head, back, wing-coverts, 

 and secondaries are dark liver brown, the shaft of each 

 feather darker, the edge tipped with red ; the tail-feathers 

 brown, with five narrow transverse bars of wood brown ; 

 under surface of the body pale brownish white, with 

 darker brown longitudinal patches ; the beak, cere, eyes, 

 legs, toes, and claws as in the male. Young males re- 

 semble the females ; and in birds of the year, the wings 

 do not reach so far towards the end of the tail as in those 

 that are adult. 



* " The Elfin king, like the Merlin's wing, 

 Are his pinions of glossy blue." 



Tales of Wonder. 



