FALCON, or FAUCON, a bird of prey of the hawk kind, superior to all others for courage, docility, gentleness, and nobleness of nature *. Several authors take the name falcon to have been occasioned by its crooked talons or pounces, which resemble a falx or sickle. Giraldus derives it a falcando, because it flies in a curve. * See Falco. Moor-buzzard. 25. The seriginosus, or moor-buzzard, with greenish wax, a greyish body, the top of the head, nape of the neck, and legs, yellowish; is a native of Europe, and frequents moors, marshy places, and heaths: it never soars like other hawks; but commonly sits on the ground, or on small bushes. It makes its nest in the midst of a tuft of grass or rushes. It is a very fierce and voracious bird; and is a great destroyer of rabbits, young wild-ducks, and other water-fowl. It preys, like the osprey, on fish. The falcon, or falcon gentle, is both for the fist and for the lure. In the choice, take one that has wide nostrils, high and large eye-lids, a large black eye; a round head, somewhat full on the top; barb feathers on the clasp of the beaks, which should be short, thick, and of an azure colour; the breast large, round, and fleshy; and the thighs, legs, and feet, large and strong; with the fear of the foot soft and bluish: the pounces should be black, with wings long and crossing the train, which should be short and very pliable. Goshawk. 26. The palumbarius, with black wax edged with yellow; yellow legs, a brown body, and the prime feathers of the tail marked with pale streaks, and the The name falcon is restrained to the female: for the male is much smaller, weaker, and less courageous, than the female; and therefore is denominated tassel, or tirelet. The falcon is excellent at the river, brook, and even field; and flies chiefly at the lager game, as wild-goose, kite, crow, heron, crane, pyc, shoveler, &c. For further particulars, see FALCONRY, HAWK, and HAWKING. FALCONER, a person who brings up, tames, and makes, that is, tutors and manages, birds of prey; as falcons, hawks, &c. See FALCONRY. The grand feignior usually keeps 6000 falconers in his service. The French king has a grand falconer, which is an office dismembered from that of great hunt, grand venur. Historians take notice of this post as early as the year 1250. A falconer should be well acquainted with the quality and mettle of his hawks, that he may know which of them to fly early, and which late. Every night after flying he should give them casting; one while plumage, sometimes pellets of cotton, and at another time physic, as he finds necessary. He ought also every evening to make the place clean under the porch, that by her casting he may know whether she wants scouring upwards or downwards. Nor must he forget to water his hawk every evening, except on such days as she has bathed; after which, at night, she should Falconer, should be put into a warm room, having a candleFalconry. burning by her, where she is to sit unhooded, if shebe not ramage, that she may pick and prune herself.—A falconer should always carry proper medicines intothe field, as hawks frequently meet with accidentsthere. Neither must he forget to take with him anyof his hawking implements; and it is necessary heshould be skilful in making lures, hoods of all sorts,jessets, bewets, and other furniture. Neither ought heto be without his coping irons, to cope his hawk'sbeak when overgrown, and to cut her pounces and ta-lons as there shall be occasion: nor should his cauteri-zing irons be wanting.