MERLIN. 



FALCO JESALON, Tuns tall. 



Falco sesaloiij TunstaU, Ornith. Brit. p. 1 (1771) ; Naum. i. 

 p. 303; Macg. iii. p. 317; Hewitson, i. p. 30 ; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, i. p. 74 ; Dresser, vi. p. 83. 



Faucon Emerillon, French; Zwerg-Faike, German; Esme- 

 rejon, Spanish. 



This beautiful little Falcon breeds on moorlands 

 throughout the British Isles, and several instances of 

 its nesting in trees in parts of our country where no 

 moors exist are on record ; but as a rule in the culti- 

 vated and woodland districts of Central and Southern 

 England it is best known as a bird of double passage, 

 closely attending the migratory hordes of Finches and 

 Larks on their autumnal migration, and reappearing 

 casually in early spring. On many parts of our coasts 

 the Merlin remains throughout the winter months, and 

 plays havoc amongst the smaller Waders and other 

 shore-frequenting birds. 



The nest of this bird is generally situated on a 

 tussock on the open moor, the bank of a moorland 

 burn or "scaur," and occasionally in rocks; it consists 



