Note 97 — W. CAREW HAZLITT.

i.e., A cast of that species of hawks that were called Merlins.—Steevens. He calls them [merlins, which he might perhaps have been supposed to pronounce] Murlons on account of their size. Merlins were the smallest species of hawks. Turbervile says, “These merlyns are very much like the haggart falcon in plume, in seare of the foote, in beake and talons. So as there seemeth to be no oddes or difference at al betwixt them save only in the bignesse, for she hath like demeanure, like plume, and very like conditions to the falcon, and in hir kind is of like courage, and therefore must be kept as choycely and as daintly as the falcon.” The merlin was chiefly used to fly at small birds; and Latham says, it was particularly appropriated to the service of ladies.