pigeon hawk

American  

noun

1. merlin.

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pigeon hawk British  

noun

1. the North American variety of the merlin

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Etymology

Origin of pigeon hawk

An Americanism dating back to 1720–30

Example Sentences

The pigeon hawk bantered the tortoise for a race, but the tortoise declined it, unless he would consent to run several days' journey.

From Project Gutenberg

A pigeon hawk, I regretted to note, had settled among the bushes, and was watching for quarry, making the only fly in the amber of the enchanted spot.

From Project Gutenberg

These are the turkey vulture, the black vulture, the little rusty-crowned falcon, the pigeon hawk, slate-coloured hawk, red-tailed buzzard, American horned owl, little American owl, and five other species of falcons.

From Project Gutenberg

A pigeon hawk came prowling by our camp, and the faint piping call of the nuthatches, leading their young through the high trees, was often heard.

From Project Gutenberg

In striking contrast to this serio-comic strife of the sparrow and the moth, is he pigeon hawk's pursuit of the sparrow or the goldfinch.

From Project Gutenberg