432 



AVES — MERLIN. 



occur in our language, in which the initial n has detached itself from the 

 substantive, and become permanently attached to the indefinite article. In 

 the immature state this falcon is also called a red hawk, from the prevailing 

 color of its plumage. When full grown and in a wild state it is called a 

 haggard or passage falcon. The male is called a tierce* or tersd, to dis- 

 tinguish it from the female, which, among birds of prey, is most commonly 

 one third larger than the male. Many of these terms are equally applicable 

 to the other species used in hawking, and are only employed by the profes- 

 sors of that art, which is now fast going to decay. The following passage 

 from Sir J. Sebright's Observations on hawking, published in 1326, will best 

 illustrate its present condition. 



" The village of Falconswaerd, near Bois le Due, in Holland, has for many 

 years furnished falconers to the rest of Europe. I have known many falcon- 

 ers in England, and in the service of different persons on the continent ; but 

 I never met with one of them who was not a native Falconswaerd. It has 

 been the practice of these industrious and sober men, to stay with their em- 

 ployers during the season for hawking, and to pass the remainder of the 

 year with their families at home." 



What is known in the United States by the name of the great footed or 

 duck hawk, is probably the same species known in Europe by the name of 

 the peregrine falcon. It is said to attack ducks, and wild geese, striking 

 them down with the projecting bone of its breast. According to Mr Audu- 

 bon, it is more common in this country than formerly. It flies with aston- 

 ishing rapidity ; its nests are built in cedar swamps. 



THE MERLIN* 



Is in size little larger than the European blackbird, and is consequently the 

 smallest of the hawk kind. Its bill is blue ; the cere and irides are yellow; 

 the head is of a rust color, streaked with black, and edged with rust color j 

 the quill feathers are dark, tipped and margined in the inner webs with 



1 Falco cesalon, Tem 



