The Merlin is a fascinating small falcon, standing outside the usual grouping of the True Falcons, and with a range that is confined to northern climes, an exclusive preference that is shared by only one other, the much larger Gyrfalcon. This is the first comprehensive book on the species, covering its complete circumpolar range. The book starts with a general comments on the evolution of the True Falcons and thoughts on their grouping, then covers the general characteristics of the Merlin, the species habitat, its diet, breeding (territory, displays, pair formation, nest sites, eggs, chick growth, nest predation and breeding success), migration and wintering, survival, the Merlins friend and foes, and estimations of the world population. It also includes data gathered with a unit flown on a male Merlin.