58 



BIRD GALLEKV. 



use of for several successive years. The eggs vary from four to six in 

 number, and are pale bluish-white, blotched with reddish-brown. 

 The male is always much smaller than the female. 



I. — Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



2. — Dorset, July. 

 Presented by F. Beckford, Esq. 



No. 154. MERLIN. (Falco sesalon.) 



The Merlin is the smallest of our British Falcons, and breeds 

 throughout the moorlands and mountainous districts of the British 

 Islands, with the exception of some of the southern counties of England. 

 It preys chiefly on the smaller Wading-birds, Thrushes, Larks, Pipits, 

 etc., and being a bird of high courage and extremely rapid flight is 

 a favourite with falconers and is frequently trained to take Larks. The 

 nest is generally a mere hollow scratched in the ground at the foot of 

 some boulder or rock, but occasionally the old nest of a Crow or Heron 

 is occupied. The eggs, which are laid in May, are reddish-brown and 

 are from four to six in number. 



Isle of Skye, June. 

 Presented by the Rev. H. A. Macpherson. 



No. 155. PEREGRINE FALCON. (Falco peregrinus.) 



Though greatly persecuted on account of the havoc it commits 

 among game, this species is still fairly abundant and generally dis- 

 tributed in suitable localities throughout the British Islands. It preys 

 chiefly on Grouse, Partridges, Pigeons, and Ducks, as well as on 

 Sea-fowl of various kinds. No nest is made ; either a slight hollow is 

 scratched in the soil on some overhung ledge of an inland rock or 

 sea-cliff, or an old nest of some other bird, such as the Raven, Crow, 

 or Heron, is made use of. The eggs, which are from two to four in 

 number, vary in colour from freckled orange-brown to rich brick-red. 

 As is the case with other birds-of-prey, the female is much larger than 

 the male, and the difference is conspicuous even in the young 

 birds exhibited in the case. 



Ross-shire, June. 



Presented by Captain S. G. Reid # W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Esq. 



