
“SOME NOTES ON THE BREEDING-HABITS 
OF THE MERLIN.” 
To the Editors of British Birps. 
Srrs,—With reference to my notes under the above heading 
(antea pp. 29-30) it may be interesting to state that on July 10th, 1917, 
three young Merlins were again in a nest within ten to fifteen yards of 
the 1916 site. The feathers were just sprouting and the birds would 
appear to have been in the same stage as those of last year at the 

corresponding time, and thus the eggs must have been laid about 
May 25th. As usual, one bird was larger and more active than the 
other two and there was no sign of a fourth egg ever having been laid. 
Around the nest were remains of young Larks and Pipits, but no 
sign of game being taken. The female parent bird was flying in the 
distance, but never came near or showed any sign of alarm. 
Again, the birds were absent by the middle of August. 
I enclose a photograph of the young in the nest. 
E. RicuMonD PATon. 
