\ 
Bs ° XR: 
24 % NATURAL HISTORY, © 
MERLIN, 
Wr ICH is the fmalleft of hawks, and not mueh 
larger than a thrufh, has been known to kill quails 
anid partridges, and waded fuch courage as to render. 
§ 
es as formidable as bir 
tude. 
The female, like that of all birds of prey, is confid- 
of fix times its magni- 
erably larger than the male. It was known to the an- . 
cients by the name of Llamyfden.. . rs 
—— WIC 
GREATER BUTCHER BIRD. 
Ty 1S bird leads a life of gd Aah hoftility. It is. 
about the fize of a blackbird.—From its carnivorous 
appetite, it participates of the nature of birds of prey, 
while, trom its flender legs, feet and toes, it partakes 
of the nature of thofe that live upon grain, infects, 
i . ' | 
‘When this bird has killed its prey, it hangs it upon 
thorn, as a butcher hangs up a carcafe, and pulls it 
%. pieces with his bill. Its ufual food is fmall birds, 
which it feizes by the throat, and ftrangles in an if- 
-ftant. The oldand young feek their prey, in concert. 
It is ten. inches in, length, fourteen inches broad and 
three ounces in weight. ‘ihe back and coverts of the 
wings are of anafh colour, and thé fides of the head 
are white. — eae 
Of this fpecies are alfo to be found, the Redbacked 
Butcher Bird, the Woodchat and the Leaft Butcher 
~ 
¢ 
