Hawk: (Heb. netz, a word expressive of strong and rapid flight, and hence
appropriate to the hawk). It is an unclean bird
(Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15) It
is common in Syria and surrounding countries. The Hebrew word
includes various species of Falconidae, with special reference
perhaps to the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the hobby (Hypotriorchis
subbuteo), and the lesser kestrel (Tin, Cenchris). The kestrel
remains all the year in Palestine, but some ten or twelve other
species are all migrants from the south. Of those summer visitors to
Palestine special mention may be made of the Falco sacer and the
Falco lanarius.
