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A wild tercel, the male peregrine falcon, passed overhead.

Tiercel.—The male of various falcons, particularly of the peregrine, also tarcell, tassell or tercel; the term is also applied to the male of the goshawk.

Ere long Mer made exhibition of her high strain and training—for the little falcon was also a female—sufficient to prove herself neither tercel nor haggard.

The tassel, or tercel, was the male of the peregrine falcon, and was noted for its docility and gentleness.

The only difference being, that the victim then was a tercel gentle, and now it would be a white dove.