​The Merkin can be found in high grass and underbrush awaiting the passing of a larger furry animal on which to hitch a ride. They will surreptitiously travel the body until they locate the thickest fur and burrow deep within to disguise themselves as tangles of matted fur. They are mostly innocuous hitchhikers, but wherever they take up residence their presence does create a persistent itch. They loathe water and will flee from a host whenever one crosses a river or stream. Brownies have an annual gathering of the Merkins for a contest of who can keep one on their head the longest. As Brownie’s heads are very small, a Merkin being worn as a hat only deepens its frown until it finally harumphs off grumbling its way back into the forest shrub.