5-( 



of a few twigs loosely laid together. The eggs, seldom 

 more than four in number, do not vary nearly so much 

 infer se as those of the Kestrel, but are generally more 

 uniformly coloured, smaller, and not so rounded as 

 those of that well-known bird. The Merlin is, for its 

 size, a very powerful bird, and a beautiful flyer, very 

 persistent in pursuit. I have seen but very little of its 

 performances as a trained bird ; but it has been, and 

 still is occasionally, used to take Larks, Blackbirds, and 

 Thrushes ; and I have seen a trained female take a 

 House-Pigeon after a long and difficult flight. When 

 a Merlin's nest is approached the old birds show con- 

 siderable courage in flying at human beings, dogs, or 

 large predatory birds ; but my experience does not 

 lead me to credit them with the pluck and dash that is 

 generally attributed to them. Inquisitiveness seems to 

 be a prominent trait in this species, for I have re- 

 peatedly seen wild Merlins come to observe the pro- 

 ceedings of trained Peregrines on the wing, and more 

 than once noticed one hovering over hooded Hawks on 

 their " cadge." The Merlin seldom flies at any great 

 height, except, of course, when in pursuit of any 

 soaring quarry, or bound on a lengthy journey. In 

 our district of Northamptonshire, where this species is 

 by no means rare on passage, we generally notice it 

 flying low along the course of our river or tributary 

 brooks, or along the fence-sides, in search or piu-suit 

 of small birds. An old Wagtail or Pipit cuts out 

 a Merlin's work for her ; and I have often witnessed 

 beautiful and prolonged flights at these birds, which 

 generally, in the winter season, terminated in favour of 



