The Merlin. 209 
rusty spots ; the tail is about five inches long, of a dark 
brown or blackish colour, with transverse white bars: 
the breast is of a yellowish white, with streaks of rusty 
brown pointing downwards; the legs are long, slender, 
and yellow ; the talons black. The head is encircled 
with a row of yellowish feathers, not unlike a coronet. 
In the male the feathers on the rump, next the tail, are 
bluer ; a mark by which the falconers easily discern the 
sex of the bird. The Merlin does not breed here, but 
visits us in October : it flies low, and with great celerity 
and ease. In the days of falconry, the Merlin was con- 
sidered the lady's hawk. 
In ancient days — in ancient days, 
When ladies took a strange delight 
In hawks and hounds and sporting ways, 
A Merlin was a pleasant sight. 
" 'T was gentle when, in trappings gay, 
Upon its lady's wrist it stood ; 
Till its hood was raised and it saw its prey, 
When its eye betrayed the bird of blood." 
