200 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol XV. 



determine the male left when so inclined and his mate came 

 on. Both birds on arrival at the nest uttered a very soft 

 monosyllabic "Tick," which would have been quite in- 

 audible at any considerable distance. 



Food, as far as I could determine from the remains on the 

 hilltop, consisted entirely of Pipits. (Feeding always took 

 place too far away to make a hazard as to the prey.) That 



Merlin ; Fig. 8. Cock brooding in heat. 

 {Photographed by W. Rowan.) 



some Merlins do feed on Grouse chicks is unfortunately 

 only too true. This is particularly noticeable during years 

 such as 1 92 1, when the hatching time of the Grouse comes 

 early in the Merlin season. They seem only to feed on 

 small chicks and their total depredations are probably not 

 very serious as a result, particularly as only some individuals 

 appear to indulge in this luxury. With this statement the 

 keepers are agreed. Some of the evidence as to the culpability 



