26 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



which merlins habitually inhabit, account in some degree 

 for their scarcity in comparison with the kestrel, their 

 eggs and young being destroyed by weasels, rats, and 

 other predatory animals ; were it not so, I think we 

 should find them more abundant, for both lay the same 

 number of eggs, their food is equally plentiful, and when 

 they are able to fly they are equally liable to the attacks 

 of the same enemies ; yet, after all, the kestrel is a hun- 

 dred times more abundant than the merlin.* 



The merlin is a compact little bird, and, in fact, 

 might be called a miniature peregrine, for it fully equals 

 it in boldness and spirit ; though it does not secure its 

 prey with the same dashing flight, yet it is quite as un- 

 relenting in pursuit, and even more persevering, follow- 

 ing it in all the efforts it makes to escape. It is not at 

 all particular as to the size of its victim, a partridge or a 

 linnet being pursued with equal ferocity, and I have 

 known one shot whilst killing a skylark, its most favou- 

 rite food. 



Every part of the district is frequented by the Kestrel, 

 (F. tinnuncuLus), especially the more heathy parts of 

 the forest, and it would be difficult at any time to go far 

 without seeing one poised buoyantly on outstretched 

 wings, with head depressed, and eyes eagerly scanning 

 the ground below. It is to be deeply regretted that a 

 bird which is at once an ornament to the landscape and 

 a benefactor to the agriculturist should be so constantly 

 persecuted. I have often tried to reason a keeper into 

 the fact of the kestrel and the owl being his best allies 



* This discrepancy in the respective numbers of allied species is 

 one of those facts we cannot account for, and can only acknowledge 



that it is so. 



