This evening I had a good look at a MERLIN in the Oak Hill Cemetary in Kingsport (Sullivan County) I got to the cemetary at about 5:30 and entered along the ~western edge. A bird that could have been a Merlin was sitting in the peak of a conifer. With binoculars, from that angle, I couldn't be sure so I drove beyond it, parked and took out my scope. The light would have been better from this position, but the bird flew off without my seeing it go. I drove slowly around the perimeter of the cemetary without seeing any other bird that looked like it could be a Merlin, so I parked along the ~east-west road at the north edge of the cemetary (at the highest ground). I was there a few minutes and a Merlin came winging in from the south-east and sat in the tip of a tall dead hardwood. I had enough time with my binoculars to see clearly that it was a Merlin. Then it flew straight out from its perch and, with a few wing beats, grabbed a smaller bird in mid air. It circled and landed back on a branch tip of the same tree and spent the next half hour, first eating its prey, then just looking around. I was able to watch it with binoculars and scope for about a half hour. Then it sailed off south and dropped toward some large cedar trees. I lost my view of it at that time. I was there from about 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This was a male--back, tops of wings and tail were dark gray. There were quite a few mosquitos up there (no breeze). Thanks to all of you who have posted observations, directions and time information on your sightings of this bird. Roy Knispel Johnson City, Washington County, TN