The Collaborative International Dictionary
pigeon hawk
Merlin \Mer"lin\, n. [OE. merlion, F. ['e]merillon; cf. OHG. smirl, G. schmerl; prob. fr. L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle.] (Zo["o]l.) A small European falcon ( Falco columbarius, syn. Falco lithofalco, or Falco [ae]salon). In North America called also pigeon hawk.
WordNet
pigeon hawk
n. small falcon of Europe and America having dark plumage with black-barred tail; used in falconry [syn: merlin, Falco columbarius]
Usage examples of "pigeon hawk".
The Kestrel was of the Falcon class, constructed over 100 years prior with her sister Ships, Falcon, Sparrow Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Peregrine, Meriadoc, and Gyrfalcon.
Others say that a screech owl's range does not extend to Georgian Bay, and that it was surely a merlin-a pigeon hawk.