84 DICTIONARY OF NAMES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 
Farry Brrp: The LITTLE TERN. (Galway.) 
Fatcon: The PEREGRINE was formerly simply designated 
Falcon by faleoners. The species occurs in Barlow (1655), 
as Falcon, and in Merrett as Faulcon. The name is derived 
from Lat. Falco. Newton says the earliest use of this 
word (Falco), which is unknown to classical writers, is 
said to be by Servius Honoratus (ca. 390-480 A.D.) in his 
notes on ‘“‘Atneid,” lib. x, v, 145. It seems to be possibly the 
Latinised form of the Teutonic Falk, though fala is 
commonly accounted its root. 
FaucoN GENTLE or GENTILE Fatcon: The female PERE- 
GRINE FALCON. It occurs in Willughby (1678) and 
also in Albin. The term Falcon or Falcon Gentle appears 
from the days of falconry to have always been given to 
the female bird, the former name from her superior size 
and excellence, while Gentle is from Fr. genéil, signifyimg 
neat or handsome, but perhaps also denoting the more 
noble nature of the bird as compared with the Hawks. 
Linneus’s Falco gentilis was based upon Albin’s description, 
but is without doubt the immature GOSHAWK. — In the 
Isle of Skye and other of the western islands of Scotland, 
ever since the days of falconry, the larger and stronger 
female was designated the “Falcon” simply, the male 
being known here, as elsewhere, as the Tiercel or Tiercel 
Gentle (q.v.). 
Fak or Fark: The RAZORBILL. (Hebrides.) An equivalent 
of Auk. 
Fatier : The HEN-HARRIER. 
FatLow-cHat: The WHEATEAR. (Provincial.) On account 
of its partiality for the clods on fallow land. Swainson 
also gives Fallow-finch and Fallow-lunch as provincial 
names. 
FatLow-smicH : The WHEATEAR. (Willughby.) Merrett gives 
‘ Fallow-Smiters”’ as a Warwickshire name for the species. 
FAMILIAR CREEPER: The TREECREEPER. (Pennant, 1812.) 
FANNER-HAWK. A West Sussex (Arundel) name for the 
KESTREL. Somewhat synonymous with Windhover 
(q.v.), the name no doubt arising from the fan-like move- 
ment at intervals when hovering. Also occurs as 
Fan Hawk. 
FantarL WARBLER: The SEDGE-WARBLER. 
FaorLEAnn. A Gaelic name forthe HERRING-GULL. (Western 
Isles.) 
