208 MERLIN. 



has been captured by dashing through the pane of a 

 cottage window in pursuit of some small bird. It 

 also feeds on large insects. 



The Merlin has the habit of sitting upon large 

 stones, especially those favourite ones to which it 

 usually resorts with its prey ; for just as the Shrikes 

 have a favourite " larder," so many of the Falcon tribe 

 have their pet "kitchens". This habit has obtained 

 for it the name of " Stone Falcon ". 



On account of its swiftness of flight and great daring, 

 the Merlin was once a favourite bird amongst falconers 

 and was frequently used for hawking small game. 



Its nesting haunt is in the wild moors of the north. 

 The nest, though it can scarcely be called one, is 

 made on the ground, just a few stalks of the heather 

 being placed round to give it a shape, and in this three 

 or four eggs are laid, very similar to others of the 

 Falcon tribe and like them varying a good deal. 

 Many of the eggs are difficult to distinguish from those 

 of the Hobby and Kestrel, but they seem to be more 

 brown and to have less of the very red tint of those 

 eggs. 



The male and female of this bird differ so much in 

 plumage that they were formerly taken for two different 

 species. The upper parts of the male are slate blue ; 

 the lower parts are reddish, striped with blackish 

 brown ; the tail has a broad black band on the end, 

 and is longer than the tail of the Hobby, but shorter 

 than the Kestrel's. The bird is also more bulky than 

 the Hobby. The Merlin is very hardy and can endure 

 a great amount of cold ; it may be easily tamed and 

 trained. 



