The hawks used in England are the three great northern falcons,
also known as the Greenland, Iceland and Norway falcons;
included in this group are the peregrine falcon, the
hobby, the merlin, the goshawk and the sparrow-hawk. In former days the
saker, the lanner and the Barbary or Tunisian falcon were also employed.
Of the foregoing the easiest to keep, most efficient in the field,
and most suitable for general use are the peregrine falcon and the
goshawk.
In all hawks, the female is larger and more powerful than the male.
Hawks are divided by falconers all over the world into two great
classes. The first class comprises falcons, longwinged hawks,
or hawks of the lure, distinguished by Eastern falconers as "dark-eyed
hawks." In these the wings are pointed, the second feather in
the wing is the longest, and the iris is of a deep, dark-brown hue.
Merlins must, however, be excepted; and here it would seem that the
Eastern distinction is the better, for though merlins are much more
falcons than they are hawks, they differ from falcons in having the
third feather in the wing the longest, while they are certainly
dark-eyed hawks.
The second class is that of hawks, short-winged hawks,
or hawks of the fist, called by Eastern falconers yellow eyed hawks.
In these the wings are rounded, the
fourth feather is the longest in the wing, and the iris is yellow,
orange or deep-orange.
