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THE ZOOLOGIST. 



In my opinion it is right that they should fly as near to the 

 ground on their departure, for it enables them to keep their 

 breath the whole way, and not lose wind in returning. If they 

 break down in going out the}' must necessarily stop short on the 

 way, and fall a victim to hawks or falcons. They return flying 

 high in the air, because it enables them to espy and mark their 

 resting-place from afar, as well as to exhibit their feats to all who 

 look at them. The}' are also thereby enabled to escape other 

 Pigeons of the neighbourhood, which might screen them from 

 view. One object in making them fly is to display their strength 

 of wing, but in reality the wisdom of this diversion is that flying 

 makes them light-hearted and cheerful, and hence swift in flight. 

 As Nizami says, "A merry bird flies swift." Of all birds whose 

 flesh it is not unlawful to eat, the flesh of the Pigeon is the most 

 palatable. Air makes it easy of digestion. When the flesh 

 loses its density the stomach easily receives it. 



Now let us see what kind of Kabutar-bazi was that of Akbar 

 the Great. It was, I say, this same Kabutar-bazi ,■ but the 

 officious courtiers, in order to prevent criticism, described this 

 diversion of their Emperor's in a coloured garb. Abul Fazl 

 says that the Emperor called his fondness for these birds 

 'Ishqbazi ; in other words, 'Ishqbazi was the name given by the 

 Emperor to his rearing Pigeons. It may be asked, however, why 

 Kabutar-bazi was called 'Ishqbazi : the answer is that Ishq 

 literally means "fondness," and Ishq Hakiki signifies a true love of 

 knowing God ; hence the Emperor's fondness for Pigeons was 

 distinguished by this lofty epithet, which in a way conveys an 

 idea of his love of God. Abul Fazl says that a story, which to 

 other kings and great men serves only as a lullaby, lays open to 

 Akbai-'s mind the beauties of imagination. Accordingly, this 

 taste of his for taming Pigeons enables him to entrap even wild 

 birds in the snares of his affection, so that, inspired by the 

 Emperor's affection, these birds learn to love and associate with 

 each other, and become as obedient to men as if they were of the 

 same kind with them. Hence great credit to the Emperor, who 

 rendered animals so sociable. 



Abul Fazl says that when Pigeons were flown, and tumbled in 

 the air, Akbar, like a theosophist, used to fall into a state of 

 ecstacy. Theosophists, when in a state of ecstacy, are generally 

 bo engrossed with their contemplations, and indifferent to all 



