An injured merlin waits in a pet carrier after being found in a field along a country road near Elkton in rural western Oregon. Merlins are small yet fierce falcons that use surprise attacks to bring down songbirds and shorebirds. Medieval falconers called them Òlady hawks,Ó and noblewomen used them to hunt larks. A wildlife rehabilitation specialist was contacted to take custody of the bird. (Robin Loznak/ZUMAPRESS.com)