VOL. XV.] BKEEDING-HABITS OF MERLIN. 



201 



of the Merlin is very amusing and quite irrefutable. For 

 instance, it happened one day this year that a keeper was 

 sitting under a boulder on the bank of a stream opposite a 

 Merlin's eyrie, waiting for the return of the cock, knowing 

 that the hen would reveal the nest by rising to meet him. 

 Presently the Tiercel soared over his head from behind, saw 



Merlin : Fig. g. Hen shading the eggs. 

 [Photographed by W. Rowan.) 



him just before giving the food call and in fright dropped 

 his prey, which fell on to the watcher's shoulder — a Grouse 

 chick. On another occasion a cock was shot with a chick 

 in his talons. 



In connection with feeding it will be seen below that 

 during the rearing time the young are fed entirely by the 

 hen, though the prey is caught by the cock. The only 



