A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sparhalk, n. Also: sparr-, sper- and -halke, -hauk(e, -hawke, (sperkhalk). [ME sparhalk (Cursor M.), sperhauke (1377), OE spearhafoc, ON sparrhaukr.] A sparrowhawk.In early use freq. allusive. Also attrib.(a) ?1438 Alex. i 443.
That steid, that is suifter Than is sparhalk [etc.] ?1438 Alex. i 627.
Now be we sparhalkis and thay quailȝeis For multitude in fecht oft failȝeis! ?1438 Alex. i 367. c1450-2 Howlat 330 (A).
Spar halkis [B. sperkhalkis], that spedely will compas the cost, War kene knychtis of kynd [etc.] 1473 Treas. Acc. I 45.
Gevin to a man … that brocht a spar halk to the King iij s. 1505 Treas. Acc. III 155. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 163/79.
The sparhalk … Als fers as fyre of flynt 1531 Bell. Boece I xlii.
Of fowlis, sic as leiffis of reif ar sindry kindis in Scotland; as ernis, falconis, goishalkis, sparhalkis, marlyonis and sik like fowlis 1567–8 Reg. Great S. 458/1.
Unum nisum, vulgariter ane spar halk 1600 Bk. Rates MS p. 10 from end of bk.
The prices of the blenschis … the kingis officiaris suld mak ȝeirlie compt in the cheker … ane sparr halk, i rois nobill [etc.] 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 90/2.
As falcons are by nature faire of flight Of kinde as sparhalks far excells in speede 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 8.
Divers kinds of halks doe breed in Southerland, such as falcons, … sparhalkes 1683 Erskine Diary 16.
[He] slew 6 partridges with a spar hauke(b) 1446
Charter 31 July.
Unum nisum Anglice a sper hawke 1456 Hay I 299/28.
That he [sc. a king] be lord of his subjectis, as to the quaile the sperhaukattrib. 1587 Treas. Acc. MS 72b.
Tua dosane of spar halk bellis l s.
