CHAPTER LXXXV. 



THE Merlin Hawk. 



L'Emerillon, Brif. ; CEfallon Bellonii, Raii. 



Description and Character. — The Merlin is one of the 

 smallest, as well as prettiest, of the Falconidse tribe ; but 

 despite its diminutiveness it is spirited, brave, fearless, intrepid, 

 and daring. It is named by some people the Stone Falcon, 

 from a habit it has, when in quest of food, of alighting upon 

 stones to watch for small birds. 



It was formerly trained and used on the Continent for the 

 purpose of hunting quails, and is highly lauded as a most 

 courageous and gallant bird. In England, it was reserved 

 more especially for the use of the gentler sex, and was 

 termed the "Lady's Hawk," and used by such as took a 

 delight in and practised this kind of sport as a pastime. 

 The Merlin will attack Partridges, Landrails, Magpies, Jays, 

 Thrushes, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Starlings, &c. ; but Larks and 

 Buntings are its favourite prey. 



In length it measures from ll^in. to 12^in., the tail 

 being 5in. The width, from tip to tip of the wings, is 2ft. 

 The bill is bluish lead colour, being darkest at the point. 

 The cere is pale yellow, and the irides very dark brown. 

 The head is dull reddish brown, each feather being marked 

 with a dark blackish blue streak down the centre. The back 

 and wings are bluish ash colour, streaked, mottled, and edged 

 with russet brown ; the quills are dusky, almost black, and 

 marked with reddish brown oval spots ; the under wing coverts 

 are brown, marked with round white spots. The tail is dusky, 



