40/ NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



I have observed in winter a hawk of the bulk of one of the 

 two latter species, and having very much of their manners, 

 but different in colour, being ash-coloured above* and white 

 below, but whether one of them having- the colour changed 

 by the season I know not, as I never could procure a speci- 

 men. 



When falconry was in vogue, the Orkney hawks were in 

 much esteem and request, and a falconer came once a-year 

 to carry off the young birds ; but what species it was he sought 

 after I cannot get any tolerable information, as the names are 

 delivered in such general terms there is no drawing any thing 

 from. I hear of the falcon, the tercel, and the hawk, but 

 what species of these I cannot discover. Sir Robert Sibbald, 

 indeed, places the falco gentilis, -f- or tercel gentle, in these 

 isles ; but all my search for this bird has as yet been in vain. 

 Indeed, the falcons are a genus of birds whereof specimens are 

 generally difficult to procure, except the more ignoble, as 

 the hen-harrier, &c. which is often shot in the yards ; however, 

 if my want of information in this genus could stir up any to 

 help me, I should think it a point gained, to render these I 

 have observed completer, and acknowledge the favour. 



In the bill for dissolving and disannexing the earldom of 

 Orkney from the Crown, we find the find following particu- 

 lar : " That all hawks be reserved to his Majesty, with the 

 " falconers salaries, according to ancient custom." 



* Brit. Zool. I. p. 62. t Vide Sib. Scot. 14. 



