TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. *Jb 



which it frequently does with great dexterity. I 

 know of no certain method of decoying this bird; 

 the way in which I obtained my specimens was by 

 first finding out their breeding-place and then lying 

 in wait for and shooting the birds as they flew to 

 and from their nests. 



Falco ^Esalon, Temwi. Merlin. — This bird is 

 not so common in Shetland as the Peregrine 

 Falcon, but is more numerous in Orkney ; like 

 the Peregrine it chooses the most inaccessible 

 parts of the rocks for breeding-places. I have fre- 

 quently shot it from my boat, while in the act 

 of chasing small birds on the water, and on one 

 occasion a lark flew into the boat to escape from 

 this enemy, which hovered above our heads in ap- 

 parent disappointment at losing his victim. The 

 lark was permitted to escape on our arrival on 

 shore, but the Merlin on the spot paid the forfeit 

 of his life for his temerity. 



These are the only two species of Falcon I have 

 met with in my wanderings through these countries, 

 though Dr. Edmonston says that the Gos-hawk 

 has been seen there : this may be the case, but I 

 conceive instances of its occurrence are extremely 

 rare. Owls are also very scarce, but they occasion- 

 ally visit both countries in the winter season. 

 E 2 



