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O R D. I. G E N. I. FALCON. 



S P E. XXII. MERLIN. 



PI. 22. 



Faico iEfalon. Lath. Ind. Orn. p. 49. No. 119. 

 L'Emerillon. BriJ. Orn. I. p. 382. 



This is the lead of our hawks, fcarcely exceeding the blackbird in fize of 

 body. It is twelve inches long, near two feet in the expanfion of the wings, 

 and weighs about five ounces. The bill is a bluifh lead colour : cere yellow : 

 eyes dark brown : top of the head dark reddifh brown, ftreaked with black : 

 over the eye is a line of white : the nape of the neck is white : throat pale 

 brown : back, and wings, greyifli brown ; middle of each feather dark brown, 

 the edges pale : breaft and belly pale reddifh white, marked with oblong ftreaks, 

 pointing downwards : quill feathers dull black : tail barred with dull brown ; 

 the upper edges of the feathers reddifli clay colour, under edges white : legs 

 yellow. The wings are nearly as long as the tail. 



This fpecies is not feen in the fouthern parts of England, except in the 

 winter months, feldom being met with till Oftober, when the hobby difappears. 

 It breeds in Scotland, Cumberland, and Lancafhire, making its neft on the 

 ground, chiefly among heath. This fmall hawk was formerly ufed in falconry. 

 It flies low along the fides of hedges, in queft of prey, and has fpirit fufficieni 

 to attack and kill a partridge. 



For the egg, fee PI. V. Fig. 2. 



