Heh.  The male was apparently neglecting his duty.  I bet she'd 
been screeching for food from the nest for a while.  (The female 
Red-tail nesting in the woods behind my house keeps it up almost 
non-stop most of the day, and sometimes the male just sits in a 
tree at a little distance, ignoring her and preening.)

Jane


Roy Pilcher wrote:

> The male merlin was situated on his favorite snag above the crest of a  large 
> white pine at the Proctor Elementary School plucking away at some  prey.  
> With a chatter the female approached and appeared to snatch at least  part of the 
> prey from his grasp, flying off apparently without alighting.
> Further along the West Proctor Road a sharp-shinned hawk was being harassed  
> by a five raucous red-winged blackbirds.
> Cheers,
> Roy Pilcher
> The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland,  Vermont
> 
> Speaking the same language.
> 
> 
> 
> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family 
> favorites at AOL Food.      
> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
> 
>