Hawk n.  Zool. One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconidae.  They differ from the true falcons in lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in having shorter and less pointed wings.  Many are of large size and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were formerly trained like falcons.  In a more general sense the word is not infrequently applied, also, to true falcons, as the sparrow hawk, pigeon hawk, duck hawk, and prairie hawk.
 Note: ☞ Among the common American species are the red-tailed hawk (Buteo borealis); the red-shouldered (Buteo lineatus); the broad-winged (Buteo Pennsylvanicus); the rough-legged (Archibuteo lagopus); the sharp-shinned (Accipiter fuscus). See Fishhawk, Goshawk, Marsh hawk, under Marsh, Night hawk, under Night.
 Bee hawk Zool., the honey buzzard.
 Eagle hawk. See under Eagle.
 Hawk eagle Zool., an Asiatic bird of the genus Spizaetus, or Limnaetus, intermediate between the hawks and eagles. There are several species.
 Hawk fly Zool., a voracious fly of the family Asilidae. See Hornet fly, under Hornet.
 Hawk moth. Zool. See Hawk moth, in the Vocabulary.
 Hawk owl. Zool. (a) A northern owl (Surnia ulula) of Europe and America. It flies by day, and in some respects resembles the hawks. (b) An owl of India (Ninox scutellatus).
 Hawk's bill Horology, the pawl for the rack, in the striking mechanism of a clock.