460 



British Cage Birds. 



and crossed with bars of reddish yellow or pale brown. The 

 wings are long, as in all the Hawks, and reach to within IJin. 

 of the end of the tail ; the breast and belly are pale bright 

 brown or reddish yellow, becoming paler toward the vent, 

 with longitudinal, oblong, dark brown spots. The legs and feet 

 are yellow, and the claws black. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Merlin is well known in 

 different parts of Europe, and at one time was supposed to 

 be purely migratory in habit ; but several instances have been 

 known of its breeding in this country. It appears to prefer 

 rugged hills, well covered with furze and heather, and situated 

 in the neighbourhood of woodlands. It is much more scarce 

 than either the Kestrel or the Sparrow Hawk. 



It generally builds its nest on the ground, amongst heather, 

 but has been known to use the deserted nest of a Crow. The 

 nest is formed of slender twigs, and is raised a few inches 

 above the ground. The hen lays four eggs, round in form, 

 and l^in. long ; they vary somewhat in colour, some being 

 of a palish chocolate brown, tinged with dullish red, and 

 others mottled with two distinct shades of dark brownish 

 red. The period of incubation is not known for certain, but 

 is probably about seventeen days. 



Methods of Capture. — The Merlin is frequently taken in 

 the day net by professional birdcatchers, as it is very keen 

 and determined in the pursuit of small birds, and apparently 

 not endowed with much caution. It may likewise be ob- 

 tained in winter time by the use of spring traps baited with 

 live birds, or in the Hawk trap, which is preferable to other 

 methods, and does no injury to the bird. 



Food and Treatment. — The same as recommended for the 

 Kestrel Hawk (p. 449). 



Rearing the Young.- — The young may be reared in the 

 same manner as those of the Kestrel Hawk. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The upper 

 plumage of the female is brown, whilst that of the -male is 

 greyish blue. The under parts of the former are yellowish 

 white in the ground colour. 



Song. — This is not by any means a musical bird ; it 

 utters a harsh, piercing cry, when it is hungry or angered, and 

 also at the pairing season, when it is particularly clamorous. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Good shape ; clear 



