52 RAPTORES. FALCO. MEULIN. 



My readers will perceive, that, among the synonyms, I 

 have included the Stone Falcon (Falco Lithofalco of authors), 

 as I feel convinced that it is the male Merlin in adult plu- 

 mage ; the two agreeing in every respect, except that the 

 irides of this supposed species are stated by SONNINI, and 

 other writers (who appear to have faithfully copied his de- 

 scription), to be yellow, and those of the Merlin are brown. 

 But an objection raised upon the colour of the eyes is cer- 

 tainly not of sufficient import to authorise the establishment 

 of a distinct species ; for I know from experience, that the 

 colour of the iris cannot always be depended upon as a speci- 

 fic character, having repeatedly found it to vary in the Marsh 

 Harrier, and in the Peregrine Falcon. As a further proof that 

 the Merlin also is subject to variation in the colour of the 

 iris, I must state that two, among many nestlings that I 

 have at different times attempted to rear, displayed a marked 

 difference from the rest in the colour of the iris ; and, had 

 they lived to attain maturity, would, I may safely say, have 

 shewn yellow irides, being similar to those of the young Spar- 

 row-Hawk, or young Hen-Harrier, viz. of a yellowish-grey 

 colour ; but which, with maturity, become yellow. The 

 trivial name of stone falcon is perfectly appropriate to the 

 Merlin, as it is very often to be seen perched upon a large 

 stone amid the wide wastes that it frequents during the sum- 

 mer months. As autumn approaches, the Merlin descends 

 to the lower grounds, or migrates to the southern parts of 

 the kingdom. 



Inferior as this species is in size, it fully supports the cha- 

 racter of its tribe ; frequently attacking birds superior to 

 itself in magnitude and weight, and has been known to kill 

 a partridge at a single blow. Like others, before enumera- 

 ted, it became subjected to the purposes of pastime, and was 

 trained to pursue partridges, snipes, and woodcocks. Its 

 flight is low and rapid, and it is generally seen skimming 

 along the sides of hedges in search of its prey. In witnessing 

 its attack upon a flock of small birds, I have been astonished 



