RAPTO RE S— HAWKS. 
387 
head, neck, and back, is a greyish slate. Under 
the wing is barred with brown ; on the belly 
and round the vent it is white ; the thighs and 
breast light cinnamon ; the head and beak are 
finely formed ; the latter black ; the legs, feet, 
and claws yellow ; the latter of these are curved 
long, and very sharp. It is a thorough bred 
Merlin, and of a very beautiful kind. 
4. — There is also the " White Merlin." This 
is a very rare variety. In size and form, it 
much resembles the above, but in colour it is 
different. Its back and wings are of a grey 
slate tint, but the breast is white. It is more 
feathered on the thighs and legs, than the 
other. These last, with its beak and talons, 
are of a pale yellow. 
5. — The "Bufus Merlin" may close our list 
of Hawks. This is a very beautiful little Eap- 
torial, with sharply pointed beak and talons, 
pointed wings and tail, and wary, rapid, flight- 
In size it about equals the last, while, in colour, 
it is a Eufus cinnamon tint, dark on the back 
of the body and wings, and lighter on the breast 
and under parts. The legs are well feathered, 
with black tips to the wings. The beak, talons, 
and legs, are yellow. It appears to prey prin- 
cipally on the finches, which it is usually seen 
pursuing over the u vlaatsP 
1. — Of Owls, we noticed three varieties* 
2 c 2 
