MERLINS 119 



rumtis frequently hunt in couples, and, as they fly 

 exceedingly swiftly, no matter how speedy the quarry 

 be or how adept in swerving in the air, it is rarely 

 able to escape from the concerted attack of a pair 

 of these little furies. 



Red-headed merlins are addicted to perching on 

 the telegraph wires that are stretched alongside 

 railway lines. They do this in order to pounce down 

 into the midst of a flock of small birds alarmed by 

 the noise of a passing train. The turumti, like the 

 sparrow hawk, is a sprinter rather than a long-distance 

 flier, and hence is able to secure its quarry in gardens, 

 groves, and other comparatively confined places. 

 It is fond of gliding with great rapidity along some 

 hedgerow or bank and swooping down on any small 

 bird feeding in the vicinity. 



The turumti is not often used for purposes of falconry, 

 which is somewhat surprising, seeing that it affords 

 better sport than does the shikra, because it does not 

 give up the chase so readily. When trained it is usually 

 flown at the blue jay or roller (Coracias indica). 

 " In pursuit of this quarry," writes Jerdon, " the 

 falcon follows most closely and perse veringly, but is 

 often baulked by the extraordinary evolutions of 

 the roller, who now darts off obliquely, then tumbles 

 down perpendicularly, screaming all the time and 

 endeavouring to gain the shelter of the nearest grove 

 or tree. But even here he is not safe ; the falcon 

 follows him from branch to branch, and sooner or 

 later the exhausted quarry falls a victim to the ruthless 

 bird of prey." 



