FALCON. 109. 



93- 



Var. c. 

 E'Efmerillon des Fauconniers, Buf. oif, i. p. 288. t. 19.. EALCONERS' 



L'Emerillon, PI. enl. 468. M. 



^pHIS bird, according to M. de. Buffon, is not the Merlin of 

 naturalifts, but known by that name among falconers, and' 

 has not been particularly noticed nor well defcribed by any one 

 hitherto. He fays it is like an Hobby in figure, but has ihorter Description.,. 

 wings, and it much more refembles the Stone Falcon, both as to fize 

 and length, colours, &c. fo as to make it rather doubtful whether 

 thofe two be not only varieties. A Angularity too prefents itfelf 

 in this bird, which is, that both male and female are of the fame 

 fize, a thing unufual in this genus. He fays likewife that it is a 

 very courageous bird, attacking not only Larks, but Quails and 

 Partridges. Notwithftanding all this, M. de Buffon quotes Br. Zool. 

 folio edit. A. 12. for a figure, feemihg to prove his Merlin, and 

 that of Mr. Pennant, to be the fame. 



Mr. Salerne * gives a probable reafon for this confufion among 

 the Merlins, which arifes from the bird-catchers calling every 

 bird under the fize of a Buzzard by the name of Merlin ■, and in 

 this kingdom I have as often found all the fmaller kinds of 

 Hawks called by the name of Sparrow Hawk, without diftinction. 



I have mentioned thus much, as I believe the Merlin is not 

 very common in England, and confequently but little known. I 

 do not know M. de Buffon 1 's bird. 



* Orn, /.• 16* 



Fako. 



Remarks. 



