256 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Batah Pigeon. — The Sheikh remarks that this breed is well 

 known for letter-carrying, and that both male and female are 

 trained to take letters to distant places. I say that this breed is 

 quite unknown at the present day, nor are any kinds of Pigeons 

 now used to carry letters in India ; hence no one knows anything 

 about this Batah bird. 



Nisavri Pigeon. — Abul Fazl says that these Pigeons fly as 

 high as Khimi Pigeons, and like the latter are often lost sight of, 

 even remaining away for a day or two, and on their return they 

 never miss the way to their nests. A Parpa Pigeon, according to 

 Abul Fazl, at once takes the air, and will continue flying by 

 itself. Even Saths, or small parties of them, will fly by them- 

 selves as if they were but one Pigeon, and many of them impart 

 information. I say, this is a specimen of the flattery and adulation 

 so prevalent in the days of Asiatic monarchs. The fact is that 

 Nisavras certainly fly very high, and Parpa and Pamoz are not 

 unlike them. Some of them are Sada-pa, but they are scarce, and 

 not much liked at present. Parpa and Pamoy (or as they are 

 also called, Phalpera and La-chidar) are, of course, approved of. 



Abul Fazl says that Shirazi, Shustri, Kashani, Jogya, Bezah 

 Dalian, Magsi, and Golas, are all wild and wanderers of the 

 desert, and that people sometimes tame them, and make them 

 familiar with their dwelling-place. They fly off to the forest, 

 and on their return are given salt and water, which makes them 

 bring up all they have eaten in the forest, and this serves in a 

 great measure for their owners' or trainers' livelihood. I say, 

 however, that such is not the case in this country. There is no 

 one in India who adopts such a plan. 



Abul Fazl says that a Pigeon seldom lives above thirty years, 

 and that for 100 flying Pigeons 4 seirs of grain is quite enough; 

 for others, 5 seirs ; and for those selected for laying, 7j seirs will 

 suffice. He says that the flying Pigeons receive pure arzan, 

 which probably means chaina grain. I say that Indian Pigeons 

 can hardly eat as much. They have no great power of digestion; 

 2g- seirs is the largest quantity of grain generally allowed for 100 

 flying Pigeons. More than this would make them refractory and 

 disobedient. But if not used for flying, 4 seirs of grain would 

 suffice. An equal quantity is given to those selected for laying. 

 In this country bajra (a kind of millet) is given them. 



Abul Fazl says that except such as are used for flying, all 



