HAWKING-BIRDS. 
mice, &c. So fearless was he, that he flew instantly at the 
largest kind of seagull that we gave him. When hungry, and 
no other food was at hand, he would attend the gardener when 
digging, and swallow the large earthworms when turned up. 
To my great regret, we found the little bird dead under the 
tree in which he usually rested, and, though I examined him 
carefully, I could not find out the cause of his death.” 
Whether the merlin’s mate is compelled to or thinks it her 
duty to assist her husband in getting meat for the children, I 
can’t say ; I only know they have been seen to hunt in pairs, 
assisting each other in the most systematic manner. First, 
one merlin speeds after the fated lark or swallow for a short 
time, while his companion, — 
“ hung in the middle air, 
With their little wings outspread, 
As if let down from the heavens there, 
By a viewless silken thread.” 
In a moment, however, the stilly floating hawk stirs to action, 
and, darting down, relieves his fellow-hunter, who in turn 
rests. By such artful management, the poor lark, be he 
never so strong at starting, is finally tired out, and succumbs 
to a sudden dart, and before a pendulum can swing twice, the 
two merry merlins are beak deep in his tender body. 
The merlin chooses some retired and rather rocky ground 
among the hills for its nest, which is roughly constructed of 
twigs and tufts of heath ; the eggs three or four in number, 
broadly elliptical, an inch and a half in length, of a reddish 
white, spotted or blotched with deep red. When drawn from 
the nest, the parent birds fly about, and hover overhead, 
displaying great anxiety, uttering shrill cries, but keeping at a 
safe distance. 
