The falcon and tercel-gentle, &c.
In the second class we have—
The eagle and iron,[44]
The goshawk and tercel, &c.
From this we may conclude that the name tercel-gentle was applied to the male peregrine, a long-winged hawk, to distinguish it from the tercel, or male goshawk, a short-winged hawk.
DOCILITY OF THE FALCON.
The female falcon, from her greater size and strength, was always considered superior to the male—stronger in flight:—
“As confident as is the falcon’s flight
Against a bird.”
Richard II. Act i. Sc. 3.