182 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



nberUn. 



THE Merlin (Falco cesa/on, Brisson) is a breeding species in 

 the British Isles, but is said to be partially migratory in the 

 winter; it also occurs in the Northern Palearctic Region. 

 The adult male has the general colour of the upper parts 

 slaty-blue ; shafts of feathers, black ; nape, rufous, streaked 

 with dark brown ; primaries, blackish, with white bars on 

 inner webs ; tail, bluish-grey, with a broad black subterminal 

 band, and white tips; throat, white; under parts, rufous, 

 striped with dark brown ; irides, brown ; bill, bluish, tip 

 darker ; cere, legs, and feet, yellow. Length, from ten to 



