THE MERLIN. 



299 



dung-chafer swarms wherever cattle are most abundantly uourished, 

 the Hobby is attracted to the same spot for the sake of the plentiful 

 supply of food which it can obtain. 



Although of the smallest of the British Falconidse, being only from 

 ten to thirteen inches in length, according to the sex of the individual, 

 the Merlin is one of the most dashing and brilliant of all the hawks 

 which frequent Great Britain. 



This beautiful little bird is almost invaluable to the young falconer, 

 as it is so docile in disposition and so remarkably intelligent in character 

 that it repays his 

 instructions much 

 sooner than any of 

 the more showy but 

 less teachable fal- 

 cons. Every move- 

 ment of this admi- 

 rable little hawk is 

 full of life and vi- 

 vacity ; its head 

 turns sharply from 

 side to side as it 

 sits on its master's 

 hand ; its eyes al- 

 most flame with 

 fiery eagerness, and 

 it ever and anon 

 gives vent to its 

 i m p a ti e n c e by a 

 volley of ear-pier- 

 cing shrieks. 



Before the young 

 bird, is able to tear 

 to pieces its winged 

 prey, it should al- 

 ways be accustom- 

 ed to have its food 

 placed upon the 

 stuffed skin of a 

 partridge, and 

 when it has at- 

 tained sufficient 

 strength the breast of a real partridge should be cut open, and a small 

 portion of its ordinary food placed within the aperture, so as to encour- 

 age the bird to tear away the flesh in order to satiate its hunger. The 



Merlj^s {Hypoti wichib cesalon) 



