258 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



feeding them without depriving them of their liberty, is con- 

 sidered an act of humanity, and consistent with their religion. 



In a work entitled ' Kasas-ul-Aubeya,' composed by Abdul 

 Vahid, a Muftizada of Bilgran, some time after the year 1240 a.h., 

 I have seen it mentioned that men of the Loot tribe used to 

 indulge in this diversion, but they were visited with the wrath of 

 God, and were destroyed while living in Sodom and Gomorrah in 

 Syria. A detailed account of this tribe is given in the Old Tes- 

 tament, in the book of Genesis, chap, xix., in connection with 

 the Patriarch Loot, and also in Mahomedan, Alkoran Soorah 

 Valzaryat. 



Pigeon-keepers, or Kabutar-baz, administer various kinds of 

 medicine to their Pigeons when they are taken ill. They also 

 give them certain other drugs to make them lay eggs and bring 

 up good and new kinds of young ones. Good food of all kinds 

 is given them, to make them learn to fly and perform feats of 

 strength with ease and accuracy. This food is not composed of 

 grain, but the very best dishes are prepared with butter, &c, at , 

 a great cost, and given them to eat. The pigeon-keepers of 

 Lucknow and Delhi, as well as such of the well-to-do gentlemen 

 as are fond of this diversion, are quite conversant with the 

 different medicines and dishes prepared for their Pigeons. 

 I myself have never indulged in it, for my father never allowed 

 me to take up any such pursuit, hence whatever I know, or 

 whatsoever I have here written, is the result of my own researches 

 on the subject. 



Pigeons were used as letter-carriers in Egypt about 800 A. H., 

 when Amir Taimar Gorkan returned from Barsai, after his battle 

 with Bazarged Zaldaram. 



I have compiled this treatise in obedience to an order from 

 my kind benefactor and old patron, without any aid, except from 

 the Ain-i Akbaari, which I have translated to show what Abul 

 Fazl has said on the subject. 



