THE BIRDS USED IN HAWKING 21 



Red-NAPED SHAHEEN (Falco babylonicus) 



Female — Length, about \"j\ inches; wing, 13; tail, "j\. 

 Male — Length, 1 5^ inches ; wing, about 1 1 f ; tail, 6\. 



This is another very near relation of the peregrine, also a 

 favourite with the Indian falconers, both native and European. 

 It is slightly smaller than the black shaheen, from which, as 

 well as from F. peregrinus, it is readily distinguished by the 

 reddish chestnut colour of the back of the head. The foot is 

 smaller proportionately than that of the peregrine, and shaped 

 rather more like that of the desert falcons. It is easily caught 

 and reclaimed, and is said to develop a sort of affection for its 

 trainer. When trained it is a most useful servant, and will fly 

 with readiness and success at almost any of the innumerable 

 Indian birds which are anywhere nearly of its own size. It 

 excels particularly in the flight at wild ducks ; and a specimen 

 which was brought to England not many years ago proved 

 a first-rate game-hawk. Latham asserts that it can be 

 flown successfully at wild geese, but should be followed 

 closely by well-mounted men, who should dismount quickly 

 and secure the quarry, which may otherwise severely damage 

 the hawk with its long and strong wings. He appears to 

 have known a tiercel which flew rooks, and seldom missed 

 as much as one in ten flights. It is a better moulter than 

 the peregrine, and can sometimes be fully moulted by August. 



Barbary Falcon {Falco barbarus) 



Female — Length, about 1 3-g- inches; wing, n£; tail, 5^. 

 Male — Length, about I2f inches ; wing, iof ; tail, 5.3. 



This beautifully-shaped hawk is the smallest of those which 

 have been commonly called miniature peregrines ; and the re- 

 semblance is hardly so marked in either of the last-mentioned 

 varieties. For the barbary is even more powerfully armed and 

 feathered than her bigger cousins, having not only the wings 

 conspicuously longer and more pointed than F. peregrinus, 

 but also distinctly larger feet and talons, and a larger beak 

 proportionately to her size. The colouring is the same as that 

 of the peregrine, except that the young birds are generally 

 lighter, especially about the head, which has a slightly ruddy 

 tint ; and the feet are more usually yellow than grey-blue. In 

 adults the thighs are strongly marked with arrow-headed 

 streaks. This hawk is sometimes called the Tartaret. It is 



