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Just as the eyass discussion may be subsiding, I'll mention tercel, and
probably get beaten up for doing so, but here goes nothing.
Back in the 1980s/early 90s, Toyota marketed a nifty little 4-wheel-drive
station wagon called the Tercel. Mr Toyota's advertising blurb defined a
tercel as a young falcon.
In my humble opinion, a tercel was, in days gone by, a male
Peregrine Falcon, the larger female was referred to as the peregrine.
And another thing, hobby, as in Australian Hobby, is another falconry term
that captures my interest. Apparently, in days of yore in merry England,
there was a strict hierarchy - pecking order, if you like - as to what type
of hunting hawk the various classes could own. See, the duke, earl, or
whoever, could sport a Gyre, Peregrine or even a Saker Falcon, if he
could get his mitts on one. The lord of the manor could run a goshawk. The
leading-hands, game keepers etc, were allowed to sport lesser
raptors.
As for the ladies of the manor, well, they weren't looked upon as serious
falconers. Nonetheless, milady was allowed to fly a little falcon, ie
a hobby, as in pastime. See, a girls' hobby, a bit of hit-and-giggle, if you
like.
I'd best go now, before I get hit-and-giggled.
John Layton.
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