Merlin \Mer"lin\, n. [OE. merlion, F. ['e]merillon; cf. OHG.
smirl, G. schmerl; prob. fr. L. merula blackbird. Cf.
{Merle}.] (Zool.)
A small European falcon ({Falco columbarius}, syn. {Falco
lithofalco}, or {Falco aesalon}). In North America called
also {pigeon hawk}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]