96 
Hobby they project somewhat beyond it. 
We have hinted in the foregoing article, 
that its relation to the Stone Falcon is so 
clear, in the thickness and length of the 
body, in the shape of the bill, feet, and 
talons, in the colours of the plumage, the 
distribution of the spots, &c. that there is 
reason to suppose that the Stone Falcon is a 
variety of the Merlin ; or at least that they 
are two species, so nearly connected, that 
they ought to suspend any decision respect- 
ing their diversity." 
It will likewise be observed, that the spe- 
cific distinction of the two birds, as given 
by Gmelin, varies in a very trifling degree. 
It is said, that the Merlin differs from the 
other species of Falcons, and indeed from all 
the rapacious tribe, by a character which 
makes it approximate to the common class 
of birds, viz. the male and female being of 
equal size. This fact Montagu denies, as- 
suring us that the male measures only ten 
inches in length and twenty-five in breadth, 
and weighs about five ounces; while the 
female measures twelve and a half inches in 
length, and weighs about nine ounces. This 
