Hawk

"(Heb. netz, a word expressive of strong and rapid flight, and" hence appropriate to the hawk). It is an unclean bird (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 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. (See [261]NIGHT-HAWK.)