THE SHIKKAH. 



223 



hawks, or bii'ds of 

 the lure. 

 Also called Shaheen. 



Native of Sindh. 



Native of Sindh ; are 

 very similar to the 

 English sparrow- 

 hawk, and are kill- 

 ing birds at par- 

 tridges, but of 

 small value. 

 The long- winged falcons swoop from the air 

 upon their quarry with the rapidity of lightning, 

 and strike it to the earth, whilst the short- 

 winged hawks pursue the game in a horizontal 

 line with much rapidity, and kill it by strength 

 of wing. The Shikrah is, says Burton, flown at 

 his game in this wise: being unhooded and held 

 daintily in the falconer's hand, so as not to 

 ruffle his plumage, he is, as it were, bowled 

 after the game as it rises, and in half a minute 

 the partridge's career is ended, the birds close, 

 ''Luga, Luga !" '' Struck, Struck ! '' shout a score 

 of voices, down they come, victor and victim, 



