Birds. 9403 



Merlin. — Young merlins visit the garden very frequently, and ap- 

 pear to be fond of concealing themselves in thick bushes, and dashing 

 out with a great noise when any person approaches : in consequence 

 of this habit I have been able to shoot several. The old birds, on the 

 contrary, keep more to the hills and open grounds, seldom venturing 

 near the garden, except when bad weather has caused a scarcity of 

 food elsewhere. 



Rock Dove. — Rock doves are now beginning to visit the stubble 

 fields. I have not seen so many as usual in this neighbourhood lately, 

 but it is said that they have suddenly become abundant in other parts 

 of the island. A pigeon, coloured light brown and white, was seen 

 accompanying a flock of rock doves to the cliffs of Balta some weeks 

 ago. This was in all probability one which had escaped from a dove- 

 cote, but such cases are of very unusual occurrence. 



Cormorant. — Cormorants are now returning to the voes and inlets, 

 and a few may occasionally be seen in the lochs. The greater num- 

 ber are of course immature birds ; adults are so shy of the land that 

 comparatively i&vt fall into the hands of collectors. The cormorant is 

 very easily domesticated, and when treated with kindness it becomes 

 exceedingly docile, exhibiting a very high degree of intelligence, and 

 an amount of affection scarcely to be expected from a bird which in 

 its wild state is remarkable for its extreme shyness of man. Some 

 years ago a very young male was taken from one of the North Skerries 

 and brought to Halligarth, where he soon became a most interesting 

 pet. At first he required careful feeding, for it was some weeks before 

 he became aware that the opening of his bill was the necessary pre- 

 liminary to every meal ; he would appear eager for food, and, uttering 

 the usual peculiar cry, would strike at whatever was offered him with 

 his closed bill ; and in this manner he would have starved, but for 

 human aid. Afterwards he caused but little trouble, for when the 

 ducks were fed he would rush boldly among them, and appropriate 

 anything in the shape of fish or flesh which happened to suit his 

 fancy. Sometimes also, when he saw a boy coming to the house with 

 fish, he would waylay him, and, if no contribution were then offered, 

 he would speedily settle the matter by helping himself. One day, 

 when food was very scarce and he had been fasting for many hours, I 

 happened to pass by, carrying a number of starlings, one of which I 

 tossed to him, but scarcely with the expectation that it would be 

 accepted. However, he caught it cleverly before it could reach 

 the ground, and next instant it disappeared down his capacious 



