60 Among the Birds in Northern Shires. 



bird were guided simultaneously by a common im- 

 pulse. The chase was continued over the large 

 reservoir, and we had a fine uninterrupted view of 

 each bird's powers of wing. The Sandpiper, after 

 the water was crossed, gained a brief respite by 

 hiding amongst the rushes on the opposite bank; 

 but the Falcon, undeterred, hovered above the spot 

 and once more flushed its quarry. The poor little 

 Sandpiper wheeled rapidly round and then flew off 

 across a rough bit of rock and heath-strewn ground, 

 but its strength was exhausted; the Merlin's superior 

 powers of flight and endurance asserted themselves, 

 and the Sandpiper, with a piteous weet weet of terror, 

 was struck down. But the various birds of the 

 moorlands are by no means the Merlin's only food. 

 Like most, if not all the smaller Falcons, it subsists 

 largely on certain insects. Whether the bird's good 

 offices in this direction counterbalance its tax upon 

 young Grouse we need not stay here to enquire. 

 Perhaps in this case they do not, for the insects 

 caught can do little or no damage in such localities; 

 but on the other hand, we must remember that the 

 Falcon assists in keeping up the Grouse to a strong 

 and vigorous standard by killing off if amongst 

 others a certain percentage of weakly and unfit 

 birds. There is some evidence to show that Grouse 

 disease appears in regular cycles on most moors 

 say every seven years and competent observers 



