FALCONIDAE—MERLIN. 175
Mr. J. H. Hills of Feering has a fine old female shot by himself in Prested
Hall Wood (now stubbed) about] 1859. Writing at Coggeshall in 1860, Mr. C.
E. Smith describes it (31. 52) as being "frequently shot in this neighbourhood."
In Sept., 1870, Mr. Scruby set up one shot by Mr. Cox at Margaret Roothing (29.
Sept. 24). A female was shot in the grounds of Coval Hall, Chelmsford, by my
cousin, Mr. Jacob Marriage, early in April, 1877, and early in September, 1878, a
male was shot in Nightingale's Wood, Roxwell, by my uncle's keeper, who was of
opinion that a nest had been reared that summer in the wood, and that there were
other birds about at the time (50. ii. 37). On Nov. 27th, 1879, I saw here what I
have little doubt was one. Mr. Hope, who has one shot at Shalford in the autumn
of 1875, says it is " not uncommon at Havering." One was caught alive as it was
feeding on a Swift which it had captured at Mistley on May 15th, 1888 (29. June 2).
Mr. Saunders says (Manual, p. 337) that " at one time [it bred] with tolerable
regularity in Essex." Dr. Laver informs me that he took a nest in Hockley-Bull
Wood when at school in 1842. Mr. Buxton says (47.81) a pair " nested [in Epping
Forest] for two years—1846-47. After being disturbed, they nested on the Hill
Hall Estate, and brought off their young." They have probably bred there since,
for Mr. Harting writes me :—
" In June, 1869, a male Hobby was seen for some days about the Forest at
Chingford and was eventually taken by a bird-catcher on the 10th of that month.
I saw it a few days later in the possession of a friend who had secured it and had
it stuffed."
Mr. M. Vaughan of Finchingfield records (40. iii.459) that in 1877 his brother
found a nest with four young at Felstead. Lord Clifton states (40. iv. 259) that
he " ascertained beyond doubt " that a pair bred near Belhus Park in 1879. His
lordship saw a splendid male which had been shot from the nest. Mr. Hy, Steph-
enson, head-keeper at Birch, informs me that a pair bred in Layer Wood in 1885.
The female was shot and the eggs were afterwards taken by some boys, while Mr.
James Round, M.P., has informed me that the dead bird was brought to him. Mr.
Stacey has a specimen shot during the summer of 1885, or 1886, at Great Walt-
ham.
Merlin : Falco asalon.
An uncommon winter visitor. It breeds in moorland districts
further north, but certainly does not now breed in Essex, though it
is stated to have formerly done so in the marshes of Rochford
Hundred.
In Rochford Hundred, Mr. Parsons says (11) it was " rare " in his day (1830).
Mr. Clarke notes (24) that Mr. S. Salmon shot a male at Ashdon in 1829 ; that
two males were killed at Saffron Walden in Nov., 1843 ; that Mr, J. Wilkes shot
an adult male at Elmdon on Dec. 28th, 1844 ; that a male (said to be in the
Audley End Collection) was shot at Grimsditch Wood, Saffron Walden, on Jan.
20th, 1837 ; that a female was shot at Clavering in 1829 ; that Mr. Salmon
killed one at Wenden in 1830 ; that two specimens were killed on Jan 1st, 1830 ;
that a female was killed at Audley End on Jan. 4th, 1837 ("The finest f ever
saw : weight 9 oz., J. C") ; that another female was taken at Westley Farm,
Feb. 7, 1837 (weight 8f oz.) ; and that another female occurred at Andley End
on Oct. 18th, 1853. In the Museum at Saffron Walden are an adult male from
Saffron Walden, presented by E. J. Tuck, and an adult female from Saffron Wal-
den in Feb., 1837, presented by Mr. S. Salmon, probably the specimen from
Westley Farm mentioned above. In 1835, Edward Doubleday wrote (15) " The