56 



probably practised both to afford more prolonged excitement to the horsemen, but chiefly from 

 the singular mode of self-defence adopted by the Houbara, and which I have had various 

 opportunities of observing myself. As the Hawk approaches, the Houbara ejects both from 

 the mouth and vent a slimy fluid. A well-trained bird eludes this shower by repeated feints 

 until the quarry's supply of moisture is exhausted ; an impatient one rushes in, and gets his 

 feathers and whole plumage so bedaubed, that his flight is materially impeded, and his swoop, 

 when made, is irresolute. 



"With a leash of Falcons, two Haggards, and a Tiercel Sakkr, I have known three Houbaras 

 and a Sand-Grouse or two captured in a day, and the chase was terminated merely on account 

 of the fatigue of the horses. I was never actually present at the chase of the gazelle ; but it is 

 very commonly practised, and I have seen a gazelle brought into camp that had been so taken. 

 This sport requires, however, more birds, and is very dangerous to the Falcons, who frequently 

 impale themselves on the horns of their prey. It is not uncommon for both pursuer and victim 

 to fall dead at one mutual stroke. 



" In the pursuit of the Sand-Grouse [Pterocles setarius, Pt. arenarius, and Pt. guttatus) no 

 such dallying is allowed as with the Houbara. The covey rise, the Hawk is thrown off with a 

 jerk, another and another are thrown in rapid succession, and each singles out his own victim 

 and strikes him in mid air. But the same Falcon is seldom trained for both sports. The flight 

 of the Ganga and Chukhah (as Pterocles arenarius and Pterocles setarius are named) resembles 

 that of the Golden Plover ; and their defence is the very reverse of the method of the Houbara. 

 They attempt, in wheeling circles, to rise above the Falcon, and, scattering at a great height, often 

 distract his pursuit ; and unless the Hawk has been unhooded and thrown the very moment they 

 were flushed they are frequently successful. The education for this chase is by means of a trained 

 Raven, who wheels in circles over the young bird, tempting him higher and higher. 



" The apparatus of African falconers seems to be the same as in the olden time among 

 ourselves — the same hoods and gloves^ the same care in feeding, and the same quaint remedies 

 and nostrums. I never was able to discover the breeding-places of the Sakkr, though I have seen 

 the young birds in captivity scarcely fledged. The price of a well-trained Sakkr or Lanner is 

 from 200 to 300 Spanish dollars (£40 to £60); and I repeatedly, but in vain, offered 200 dollars 

 for one. The Sheik considers a Falcon of the same value as a thoroughbred horse, and will 

 exchange one for the other. No wonder, then, that I found it impossible to obtain a specimen 

 for my collection. Indeed it would have been a crime of the blackest dye to have shot one had 

 I had the opportunity. The Arab holds with old Master Latham : — 



" ' A Faulcon is a Prince's pleasant sport. 



"Tis sport and pleasure delightful to the eye. 

 Haggard Hawke with mounting Lark to flie, 

 Amidst your pleasures then take this delight. 

 Maintain the Faulconer and his Faulcon's flight/ " 



As a rule, the Lanner appears to be a rock-breeder ; but, as above stated, it has in Spain 

 been found nesting in trees, having taken possession of a deserted nest of some other bird of 

 prey. When nesting in the rocks it is said to make a very slight nest, consisting merely of a 

 little rubbish collected together, on which the eggs, usually four in number, are placed. I 



