MERLIN — BED-FOOTED FALCON. 
117 
a female shot in Hambleton Wood about the same date. ]\Ir. Horn writes me 
that a specimen was shot in Wardley Wood, about 1876, by Mr. Cooper of 
Ayston, and is now in bis possession. The late Mr. Widdowson wrote that 
it bad bred at Burley Park, Oakham, since 1880. Mr. Calcraft informs me 
that “ a few pairs breed every year.” 
It has been recorded that the Hobby will sometimes hawk Cockchafers, 
Dragon-flies, etc., over ponds, and has been known to take Frogs from water, 
but that it will take fishes is still more singular, and I believe unprecedented. 
C. Masters, however, who is a good observer, wrote me on the loth Oct., 
1888: — “There was a small Hawk about the size of a Hobby hawking over 
the ponds. It dived into the water and caught a fish, which looked to be a 
Roach about ^ lb. If Hobby-Hawks catch fish, I should think that is what it 
would be.” 
MERLIX. Falco cesalon (Tunstall). 
“Blue Hawk,” “Pigeon-Hawk,” “ Stone-Falcon.” 
An uncommon winter visitant, not remaining to breed. — According to 
Mr. Babington (Appendix ‘ Potter,’ p. 65) it has occurred near Sheepshed, and 
Harley stated that it comes to our woodlands in autumn, remaining during 
the winter months only. I saw, in the possession of Mr. H. C. Woodcock, an 
adult male specimen which he shot, on a tree in his garden at Rearsby, about 
1868. Mr. J. B. Ellis presented to the Museum, on 30th Jan., 1882, an adult 
female Merlin in the flesh, shot at Bardon Hill, and has informed me of two 
others since then, one of which was shot. Mr. Ingram writes : — “ Taken 
occasionally at Belvoir.” The late Mr. Widdowson reported several during the 
last few years of his life. Elkington received a female — which I saw — shot at 
Dunton Bassett on 11th Dec., 1885. Two females in the Museum, purchased as 
mounted specimens from Elkington and Freer, in 1885 and 1887 respectively, 
are said to have been shot in the district some years previously. 
In Rutland. — According to Mr. Calcraft, of Edith Weston, “ A rare visitor, 
though seen every year.” — Lord Gainsborough informs me that it has been 
reported from Normanton by Mr. J. Montague. Masters tells me that he shot 
one at Burley about 1880 ; he sent me a young female specimen which he shot 
near Hambleton Wood, 8th Xov., 1888 ; and he shot a male specimen at Burley 
on the 29th, which is now in the possession of Mr. Finch. 
RED-P’OOTED FALCON. Tinnunculus vespertinus (Linnaeus). 
The Museum Donation-book records the presentation, by the Leicester 
Lit. and Phil. Soc., on the 22nd Feb., 1866, of an “ Orange-legged Hobby, shot 
near the Machine-house, Belgrave Road, July 1st, 1865,” with a note in the 
margin, “ first recorded specimen in this county,” and in the ‘ Field ’ of 
10th March, 1866, is the following note: — “I saw, a few days ago, a very fine 
