145 



MERLINS: 



Their Training, Habits, Sec. 



By henry T. archer, 

 , Neivcastle-iip07i-Tyne. 



All naturalists know what a plucky, bold' little fellow the Merlin 

 is — a very Peregrine in miniature, both as regards his courage and 

 personal appearance. 



That so few keep these birds is perhaps mainly due to the idea 

 that they are difficult to train and require a good deal of attention 

 and management. This, however, is quite a mistake ; and I will now 

 set forth as briefly as possible how they may be kept in confinement 

 and trained at httle or no expense, and so afford great enjoyment and 

 recreation to anyone who has the command of a few fields, or is near 

 any open moor or common. 



Firstly, then, I should say the most requisite quality in training 

 Hawks is patience ; this with gentleness and a certain intuitive knack 

 of handling them, which comes naturally to anyone fond of birds, will 

 soon overcome all obstacles. 



We will now suppose that you have purchased a Merlin (in the 

 season they are easily obtainable). A bird of the year is to be pre- 

 ferred, and if possible one that has flown at Hberty and caught its 

 own prey before coming into your possession. You next require 

 Jesses, 

 Leash, 

 Hood, 

 Lure, 



A loud metal whistle, 



A block of wood about i ft. high. 

 The latter is for the bird to stand upon. The block must have 

 a small staple driven into the side to which the leash is attached 

 when the bird is perching. The jesses you can make yourself by 

 cutting two long strips from a pair of old dogskin or Hexham tan 

 gloves. Cut down the middle finger of each glove as far as the wrist. 

 Through these strips two slits must be made, one at each end. The 

 leash is simply a leather boot lace with a button fastened to one end. 

 The hood any saddler will make for about a couple of shillings : 

 but Merlins have a great dislike to being hooded, and once when you 

 get them to sit quietly on your hand in the field I do not think 

 a hood at all necessary. 



The lure you can also easily make yourself All you require is a 

 triangular piece of metal or iron, on the two sides of which you must 



Feb. 1885. H 



