Details of exhibit
- Exhibition:
- 1909 Fifty-fourth Annual Exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain
- Exhibit title:
- The Merlin
- Exhibitor:
- A. Taylor
- Section:
- Scientific and Technical Photography and its Application to Processes of Reproduction
- Exhibit No.:
- 469
- Description:
- Nos. 447-497, inclusive, form a collective exhibit by Members of the Zoological Photographic Club.
A MOORLAND FALCON: ITS DOMESTIC LIFE AND LIFE HISTORY
The Merlin, along with other birds of prey, is persecuted on account of its supposed game destroying propensities. In the space of one month I paid twelve visits to this nest, remaining from three to eight hours at each visit, hiding in an erection covered with bracken, thus having the opportunity of gaining accurate information of the food supply for the family.
This consisted of 80 per cent. mice and 20 per cent. small birds–pipits, &c. In no single instance did I see a game bird brought as food for the young ones, though numerous young grouse were in the neighbourhood of the nest; nor could I find traces of one at the killing place, a stone in a commanding position some 100 yards away from the nest. Littered at the base of this stone were the numerous remains of the food supply.
The hen Merlin generally alighted on the top of my hiding place when visiting the nest, but the cock never came near. To attract him, I fixed a pole in the ground, standing 4 feet high, similar to than upon which a trap is placed. The photographs of him tearing his prey were obtained when on this position. - Exhibit type:
- Photographic equipment and supplies
- Process:
- [Not Listed] ()
- Award:
- none
