60 



THE MERLIN. 



much esteemed for the purpose of falconry, and was specially trained to fly at the kite, a 

 bird which is too strong to afford tlie ordinary Peregrine Falcon any possible hope of success. 

 The male of this species is considerably smaller than his mate, and is therefore called a 

 Lanneret. 



The Prairie Falcon {Hierofalco mexicanus), called also the American Lanner, is, 

 according to Prof. Baird, so near the European form that it is difficult to separate them. 

 Dr. Cooper regards it as the shyest and swiftest of hawks. It frequents prairies, and feeds on 

 hares, grouse, and even larger game at times. 



The small, but exquisitely shaped Hobby is found spread over the greater part of the 

 Old World, specimens having been taken in northern Africa, and in many portions of Asia, as 



HOBBY.— iitifco mbbtiteo. 



well as in Europe, which seems to be its chief residence. From all accounts, it seems to be 

 rather a local bird, being partially influenced by the nature of the ground and the quantity of 

 food which it is able to procure. 



This bird appears to favor inland and well-wooded lands rather than the sea-shore or the 

 barren rocks ; thus presenting a strong contrast to the Peregrine Falcon. We may find an 

 obvious reason for this jireference in the fact that a considerable proportion of its food is com- 

 posed of the lai'ger insects, esi)ecially of the fat-l)odied beetles, which it seizes on the wing. 



Althottgh the smallest of the Falconida', being only from ten to thirteen inches in 

 length, according to tlie sex of the individual, the Merlin is one of the most dashing and 

 brilliant of all the hawks. 



