Note 107 — Chapter IX · THE HARRIERS

“‘Tiercel, Tercel, Tassel’ (Shakespeare) and ‘Tarsell’ (Bert), the male of any species of hawk, the female being termed a falcon. The tiercel is said by some to be so called from being about one-third smaller in size than the falcon; by others it is derived from the old belief that each nest contained three young birds, of which two were females and the third and smallest a male. Note the familiar line in Romeo and Juliet: ‘Oh! for a falconer’s voice to lure this tassel gentle back again.’”—Harting.