126 THE LION KILLER. 



CHAPTER IX. 



HAWKING IN AFRICA. 



In a country whose history is only written with powder and 

 ball, it is difficult to remount to the origin of the manners 

 and customs of its inhabitants, especially when, as with the 

 Arabs, they live in the midst of traditions and beliefs, which, 

 seldom reach beyond the limits of the tribe and present gene- 

 ration. 



Thus, without being able to certify anything in regard to 

 the origin of falcon-hunting in Africa, I will only mention 

 that the Arabs, properly speaking, appear to have brought 

 the custom with them into the country, since it is almost 

 unknown among the Chaouia and Kabyle tribes who pre- 

 ceded them in the possession of the land. 



Hawking in Algeria is the privilege of the noble and great. 

 It is pursued with zeal by the descendants of the chiefs and 

 military people who are attached to the French posts. 



Whatever may be the power or fortune of a native, he 

 cannot, unless he is of noble blood, or possesses a well-estab- 

 lished renown for bravery, indulge in the pursuit of falconing, 

 without the risk of being ridiculed and sometimes molested 

 by his less pretentious neighbors. In connection with this 



