Crass II. M VE ORL’ i. w, 
the preceding kind were often trained for hawking: 
and this fpecies, fmall as it is, was inferior to none 
in point of fpirit: it was ufed-for taking partridg- 
es, which it would kill by a fingle ftroke on the 
neck. The Merlin flies low, and is often feen along 
roads’ fides, fkimming from one fide of the hedges 
to the other, in fearch of prey. 
It does not breed in England, but migrates here 
in Ofober, about the time that the Hobdy difappears ; 
for the Lark-catchers obferve that in September they 
take no Merlins but abundance of Hobbies: but in 
the following month, Mer/ins only. © 
It was known to our Britifh anceftors by the 
name of Liamy/den, was ufed in hawking, and its 
neft was valued at twenty-four pence. They made 
ufe of four other {pecies, but have left us only 
their names; the Hebog or Hawk, whofe neft was 
eftimated at a pound; the Gwalch’s or Falcon’s at 
one hundred and twenty pence; the Hwyedig’s or 
long winged, at twenty-four pence; and a fpecies call- 
ed Cammin or crooked bill, at four pence. The 
Penbebogyd or chief falconer, held the fourth place 
at the court of the Welch prince: but notwith- 
ftanding the hofpitality of the times, this officer 
was allowed orly three draughts out of his horn, 
leaft he fhould be fuddled and negleét his birds *. 
* Leges Wallica, 253: 25: 
Vor. I, e 2 Large 
201 
