CHAPTER XIXTHE SAKER[196]FALCON (F. Cherrug)

[Theauthor now mentions fourteen races and varieties ofbālābān,[197]each of which he distinguishes by some special epithet.

Kabīdī(?).—The first race or variety described is apparently namedkabīdī:[199]]—It has a white head, without any cheek-stripe or dark mark under the eyes.[200]With this exception the colouration is dark: the feathers of both the body and the tail[201]are without spots. It is large in size and bold in nature, and good for either crane[202]or gazelle, but, alas, it is scarce. In the whole of my experience I have met with only one.

Bālābān-i Fārsī.—Next is theBālābān-i Fārsī, or “Saker of Fārs,” which is subdivided into the red and the white varieties. Neither has cheek stripes. The back, from the neck to the oil-bottle,[203]is covered with spots and markings, and the redder these are in tint, the better the bird. The flight-feathers,[204]seven in each wing, are also covered with spots. The feet are a very light slate-colour. The darker and smaller the beak, tongue, and nails, the better. The feet are lean, the tarsi short, the thighs stout, the chest and back broad, the wings fine and pointed, the eyes sunken, the eyebrows prominent; the neck is long, the forehead broad, the “waist” small. If the hawk has all these points, it is incomparable.

IXYOUNG PASSAGE SAKER (DARK VARIETY)

Bālābān-i Aḥmar-i Shām.—Next is theBālābān-i aḥmar-i Shāmor the “Red Syrian Saker,” of which there are two varieties, the red and the black. In a good bird of this race, the two centre tail-feathers, called by the Arabsʿamūdor “props,” andby the Turksqāpāq,[205]as well as the two outer tail-feathers, one on each side,[206]should be without spot or marking.

Bālābān-i Badrī.—The next race is calledbadrī.[207]It has a white head and no cheek stripe. The general colouration is reddish, and the back and breast are without markings. The two centre tail-feathers are sometimes with spots and sometimes without: if with spots the smaller and redder they are the better.

These four races or varieties are by the Arabs styledḥurr ṣāfī.[208]

Badū-pasand(?).—[A variety of theBadrīhas a name[209]that cannot be deciphered with certainty.] This is a variety of theBadrī, but the whole of the tail is white without the admixture of any other colouring. It is uncommon, and though it belongs to the class ofḥurr,[208]it is poor-spirited and not prized.

Jibālī.—The next race is the Mountain[210](?) Saker. It has a little black only, under the eye. It has on the back, two, four, or six white spots, called by the Arabs Pleiades (Thurayyā). The “prop” feathers have sometimes spots and sometimes none. In any case it is not styled by the Arabsḥurr ṣāfī, for theḥurr ṣāfīmust not only be without cheek stripes, but must also have certain other points.

The first four described are, however, all included in theḥurr ṣāfī. According to the idiom of Arab falconers, theḥurr ṣāfīmust have the back “free from Pleiades,”[211]the “prop” feathers “clear of marks,”[212]and the two outside feathers (one on each side) “void of stain.”[213]Also it must have no cheek stripe, nor black under the eyes. Should the hawk not have these points, they class it asjibālīand not asḥurr ṣāfī.

XYOUNG PASSAGE SAKER (DARK VARIETY)

Bālābān-i Lafīf.—Next is thebālābān-i lafīf,[214]and of this there are three varieties, the yellowish, the dark, and the light. All three have cheek-stripes or dark feathers under the eyes. As in the case of the eyesschark͟h, if this race is taken from the nest it is called in Turkiaitālgī, in Arabicwacharī,[215]and in Persianchark͟h. Should it have left the nest and be caught in a net, it is called (in Persian)bālābān-i lafīf.

Now as for those four races described above asḥurr ṣāfī, I have in my many travels and constant inquiries never met with any hawk-catcher or sportsman[216]who has taken aḥurr ṣāfīfrom the nest. No one even knows in what country, birds of this race breed. All I know for certain is, that in the beginning of Autumn they come to us from across the sea, from the direction of Muscat and Baḥrayn.[217]God knows where they breed and whence they travel. Those that I have seen in Persia, Turkey,[218]and Europe[219]have all beenlafīfand have all had cheek stripes.

Thelafīfis to theḥurr ṣāfīwhat thet̤arlānis to theqizil, or what the Nejd[220]horse is to the Turkoman pony.[221]Moult after moult theḥurr ṣāfībecomes better, whereas thelafīfflies well for not more than three seasons: after that it becomes cunning.[222]I have at present twobālābānof theḥurr ṣāfīrace, one of sixteen and one of seventeen moults; one is “Persian” and the other “RedSyrian.”[223]Both are still excellent at common crane.[224]Birds of this race, while life lasts, year by year improve, for their nature is noble.

The Bālābān-i Lafīf of Baghdad.—A variety of theLafīfthat I have met with nowhere except in Baghdad, is called by Baghdad falconersWacharī.[225]In general colouring, it is dark with a tinge of red on the head. The flight-feathers are dark in colour and long, extending beyond the tail. It has small feet and the female is about the same size as the tiercel of the eyesschark͟h.[226]It is very swift, nearly as swift as theshāhīn. It takes the small piebald crow,[227]black partridge,[228]and stone-plover, with ease. Some few I have seen that would take houbara.

It has a great outward resemblance to the Hobby which is found round Teheran.

FOOTNOTES:[196]Ṣaqar(sometimes pronouncedṣagarorṣag͟har) is one of the names by which this falcon (F. Sacerof Jerdon andF. cherrugof Blanford) is known to the Arabs. Possibly the wordṣaqaris by Arabs applied to other falcons also.[197]Considerable confusion exists with regard to the various names of this falcon. By Indians this species is calledcharg͟h, by Afghanschark͟h. By Persians the passage falcon is styledbālābānand the eyesschark͟h, while by the Turks of Persia the passage falcon and the eyess are often both calledaitālgī. The Author, however, himself a Turk, states that the nestling of a particular variety is by Turkish falconers distinguished by the nameaitālgī. InLahore to Yarkand, a report on some of the scientific results of the expedition to Yarkand in 1870, there is a coloured figure of an old and not uncommon variety of the Saker, to which the scientific name ofFalco Hendersoniis appended; and it is stated that Mr. Hume considered this falcon to be theShunqārof Eastern falconers. Apparently following up this idea, Scully, in his vocabulary of the Turki names of birds, gives as the equivalent of the Turkiaitalgū, “the female of the ‘shunqār,’Falco Hendersoni.” There is, however, evidence to show that, in ancient times,Shunqārwas a name given by Indian falconers to a species of Jerfalcon,videpage 36, note151. Modern Indian falconers, proverbial for inaccuracy, have a habit of calling any Saker (charg͟h) that is unusual in size and markings a “shunqār,” and so, by exciting emulation, obtain a fictitious price from some credulous native gentleman. Though seemingly only one species ofcharg͟hvisits the Panjab, individuals so vary in size, shape, markings, and colouration, that it is at first sight difficult to believe that they are of the same species. Amongst young birds some are whole-coloured, others have some small white specks on the back, while others again have white heads with spotted tails. In some varieties the tail spots are barely visible; in others they are so white and numerous that the spread tail appears to be nearly all white. Peculiarities may disappear to a great extent in the first moult. The colouring of the “intermewed”[198]falcon depends, to a great extent, on feeding and exposure. “Haggards” vary, nearly, if not quite, as much as the immature hawks. A rare variety is said, by Panjabī falconers and others, to have the tarsus feathered “like certain breeds of pigeons.” In the Derajat this variety is distinguished by the termpā-mozor “booted,” while in the Pindi Gheb district it is considered a distinct species and calledSang-sang. The evidence of the existence of this peculiar variety (which is also supposed to be above the average in size) is detailed and corroborative. Arab falconers ofBaṣrahhave described this variety to the translator, and stated that it is known to them by the name ofShung͟hār. By the nameSang-sangsome species of falcon (probably achark͟h) is known to the Afghans. The Charg͟h breeds in Afghanistan, Persia, and elsewhere, but not in India. Apparently more than one race visits India. In the Panjab it is flown only at large quarry—kite, hare, houbara, and occasionally at black ibis and common heron. In Baghdad it is said to be flown at geese. Corballis, inForty-five Years of Sport, says, “This falcon is good at smaller game, such as grouse, partridges, etc.” Apparently he is speaking of Syria. The Saker is too slow for sand-grouse in ordinary circumstances.[198]“‘Intermewed.’ A hawk that has been moulted in confinement.”—Lascelles.[199]This word is perhaps a copyist’s error.[200]MadmaʿAr. sing. “The place where the tears collect in the sides of the eye”; the pl.madāmiʿcomprises the inner and outer angles of the eyes, but is especially applied to the inner.Videnote49, page 8.[201]In India a hawk with a tail without marks is calledlagaṛ-dum, or “tailed like the Lagar Falcon.”[202]In Dresser’sBirds of Europeit is stated that Jerdon once took aSāruscrane (Grus Antigone) with a Saker.[203]MudhunA. andrūg͟han-dānP.[204]Shāh-par, “flight-feather.”[205]Qāpāq; derivation unknown.[206]These two feathers are apparently called by the Arabsrudāfạ. This word is the plural ofradīfwhich literally signifies “to ride pillion.” In m. c. it is the name given by Persians and Turks to the “Army Reserve.”Videalso page 73, note305.[207]Possibly frombadr, “the full moon.”[208]ḤurrAr. “free-born”; hence “noble.” The Saker and Goshawk are styledḥurr, and also the young of certain animals.Ṣāfī, “pure, unmixed, etc.”[209]ApparentlyBadū-pasand, “liked by the Bedouins.”[210]Jibālī, adj. fromjibāl“mountains,” plural ofjabal.[211]SālimuS̤urayyā.[212]Mut̤laqu’l-ʿamūd.[213]Māṣiḥ rudāfạ.[214]Lafīf: meaning oflafīfobscure.[215]There is no letterchin Arabic. In ʿIrāq, however,kis sometimes pronouncedch.Wakr(wachr) in Arabic is a nest, so “wachrī”mightsignify “nestling.” An Arab gentleman inBaṣrah(a falconer) told me that the white Saker with drops on the back is calledḤurr Ṣāfī; the same if of a reddish tingeḤurr Shāmī; and that these races are supposed to come from “Persia” and “Syria.” The dark Saker with drops on the back is, he said, calledWacharī Jarūdī, and without dropsWacharī. The best for gazelle, he stated, was the “Persian” and “Syrian.” The Baghdad Sakers are preferred to those of Baṣrah. Sakers are caught in Bushire and taken for sale to Baṣrah, where they fetch as much as seventy rupees. In the Panjab their price varies from three to ten rupees, according to locality and season.[216]Shikārchī, a comprehensive term; “sportsman, fisherman, bird-catcher, etc., etc.”[217]The Sheikh ofBaḥraynkeeps many sakers and peregrines which are flown at houbara on the opposite Persian Coast. The translator once travelled with the Sheikh’s two sons in a B. I. boat: they had fifty or sixty falconers and as many peregrines and sakers, all, with one exception, young and newly trained.[218]By Turkey, the Author probably means Asia Minor.[219]Probably Turkey in Europe.[220]The best bred Arab horses are from Nejd.[221]Yābū, a pony of a coarse breed.[222]Duzd,lit.“a thief.”

[196]Ṣaqar(sometimes pronouncedṣagarorṣag͟har) is one of the names by which this falcon (F. Sacerof Jerdon andF. cherrugof Blanford) is known to the Arabs. Possibly the wordṣaqaris by Arabs applied to other falcons also.

[197]Considerable confusion exists with regard to the various names of this falcon. By Indians this species is calledcharg͟h, by Afghanschark͟h. By Persians the passage falcon is styledbālābānand the eyesschark͟h, while by the Turks of Persia the passage falcon and the eyess are often both calledaitālgī. The Author, however, himself a Turk, states that the nestling of a particular variety is by Turkish falconers distinguished by the nameaitālgī. InLahore to Yarkand, a report on some of the scientific results of the expedition to Yarkand in 1870, there is a coloured figure of an old and not uncommon variety of the Saker, to which the scientific name ofFalco Hendersoniis appended; and it is stated that Mr. Hume considered this falcon to be theShunqārof Eastern falconers. Apparently following up this idea, Scully, in his vocabulary of the Turki names of birds, gives as the equivalent of the Turkiaitalgū, “the female of the ‘shunqār,’Falco Hendersoni.” There is, however, evidence to show that, in ancient times,Shunqārwas a name given by Indian falconers to a species of Jerfalcon,videpage 36, note151. Modern Indian falconers, proverbial for inaccuracy, have a habit of calling any Saker (charg͟h) that is unusual in size and markings a “shunqār,” and so, by exciting emulation, obtain a fictitious price from some credulous native gentleman. Though seemingly only one species ofcharg͟hvisits the Panjab, individuals so vary in size, shape, markings, and colouration, that it is at first sight difficult to believe that they are of the same species. Amongst young birds some are whole-coloured, others have some small white specks on the back, while others again have white heads with spotted tails. In some varieties the tail spots are barely visible; in others they are so white and numerous that the spread tail appears to be nearly all white. Peculiarities may disappear to a great extent in the first moult. The colouring of the “intermewed”[198]falcon depends, to a great extent, on feeding and exposure. “Haggards” vary, nearly, if not quite, as much as the immature hawks. A rare variety is said, by Panjabī falconers and others, to have the tarsus feathered “like certain breeds of pigeons.” In the Derajat this variety is distinguished by the termpā-mozor “booted,” while in the Pindi Gheb district it is considered a distinct species and calledSang-sang. The evidence of the existence of this peculiar variety (which is also supposed to be above the average in size) is detailed and corroborative. Arab falconers ofBaṣrahhave described this variety to the translator, and stated that it is known to them by the name ofShung͟hār. By the nameSang-sangsome species of falcon (probably achark͟h) is known to the Afghans. The Charg͟h breeds in Afghanistan, Persia, and elsewhere, but not in India. Apparently more than one race visits India. In the Panjab it is flown only at large quarry—kite, hare, houbara, and occasionally at black ibis and common heron. In Baghdad it is said to be flown at geese. Corballis, inForty-five Years of Sport, says, “This falcon is good at smaller game, such as grouse, partridges, etc.” Apparently he is speaking of Syria. The Saker is too slow for sand-grouse in ordinary circumstances.

[198]“‘Intermewed.’ A hawk that has been moulted in confinement.”—Lascelles.

[199]This word is perhaps a copyist’s error.

[200]MadmaʿAr. sing. “The place where the tears collect in the sides of the eye”; the pl.madāmiʿcomprises the inner and outer angles of the eyes, but is especially applied to the inner.Videnote49, page 8.

[201]In India a hawk with a tail without marks is calledlagaṛ-dum, or “tailed like the Lagar Falcon.”

[202]In Dresser’sBirds of Europeit is stated that Jerdon once took aSāruscrane (Grus Antigone) with a Saker.

[203]MudhunA. andrūg͟han-dānP.

[204]Shāh-par, “flight-feather.”

[205]Qāpāq; derivation unknown.

[206]These two feathers are apparently called by the Arabsrudāfạ. This word is the plural ofradīfwhich literally signifies “to ride pillion.” In m. c. it is the name given by Persians and Turks to the “Army Reserve.”Videalso page 73, note305.

[207]Possibly frombadr, “the full moon.”

[208]ḤurrAr. “free-born”; hence “noble.” The Saker and Goshawk are styledḥurr, and also the young of certain animals.Ṣāfī, “pure, unmixed, etc.”

[209]ApparentlyBadū-pasand, “liked by the Bedouins.”

[210]Jibālī, adj. fromjibāl“mountains,” plural ofjabal.

[211]SālimuS̤urayyā.

[212]Mut̤laqu’l-ʿamūd.

[213]Māṣiḥ rudāfạ.

[214]Lafīf: meaning oflafīfobscure.

[215]There is no letterchin Arabic. In ʿIrāq, however,kis sometimes pronouncedch.Wakr(wachr) in Arabic is a nest, so “wachrī”mightsignify “nestling.” An Arab gentleman inBaṣrah(a falconer) told me that the white Saker with drops on the back is calledḤurr Ṣāfī; the same if of a reddish tingeḤurr Shāmī; and that these races are supposed to come from “Persia” and “Syria.” The dark Saker with drops on the back is, he said, calledWacharī Jarūdī, and without dropsWacharī. The best for gazelle, he stated, was the “Persian” and “Syrian.” The Baghdad Sakers are preferred to those of Baṣrah. Sakers are caught in Bushire and taken for sale to Baṣrah, where they fetch as much as seventy rupees. In the Panjab their price varies from three to ten rupees, according to locality and season.

[216]Shikārchī, a comprehensive term; “sportsman, fisherman, bird-catcher, etc., etc.”

[217]The Sheikh ofBaḥraynkeeps many sakers and peregrines which are flown at houbara on the opposite Persian Coast. The translator once travelled with the Sheikh’s two sons in a B. I. boat: they had fifty or sixty falconers and as many peregrines and sakers, all, with one exception, young and newly trained.

[218]By Turkey, the Author probably means Asia Minor.

[219]Probably Turkey in Europe.

[220]The best bred Arab horses are from Nejd.

[221]Yābū, a pony of a coarse breed.

[222]Duzd,lit.“a thief.”

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