XV 



only as a source of pleasure and as a luxury 

 but also for diverse other purposes e.g.,. 

 carriage of message, prevention of dis- 

 eases by their presence (vide Kautiliya 

 Arthasastra ) etc. 



The Muhammadan Emperors of India 

 were very fond of cage-birds. Some of 

 them were also fond of hawkins; and made 

 elaborate arrano-ements for housino; several 

 kinds of hawks. The Emperor Akbar 

 had several aviaries and bird-houses in 

 which he kept a very large number of birds 

 and pigeons. The first recorded attempt 

 at cross-hybridisation in India is probably 

 that of this monarch, who succeeded in 

 raising the Fantail variety, appreciated so 

 greatly by the Pigeon-fanciers of the present 

 day. The sportive or fighting capacities 

 of birds were greatly valued by the Muham- 

 madans. The common Grey Partridges 

 called Titar, Quails, Game Cocks and 

 Bulbuls are noted for such capacities. A 

 particular period of the year is still recog- 

 nised as the time for holding: such bird- 



