[97] The Indian grass-owl, Strix candida, though a much more difficult quarry than the short-eared owl, can be successfully flown by a trained saker, provided the latter is in high condition: a saker is not fit for this flight unless she weighs at least 2 lbs. 4 oz., better 2 lbs. 6 oz.
[98] Such as Kāz̤imayn, Najaf, Karbalā, etc.
[99] ʿArūs-i chāh; ʿarūs is the Arabic for “bride,” but chāh, “well,” is Persian.
[100] Ḥarām: the sacred precincts round both Mecca and Medina are known as ḥarām, and certain acts such as slaying game are forbidden within the boundaries. Ḥarām is also a name for the women’s apartments. The author by ḥarām probably means the sacred precincts of Mecca, but from the context his meaning is not clear.
[101] In the Derajat this owlet, called there chhapākī, is a quarry for the shikra, and also for the common and the red-headed merlin. Its blood is supposed to be a cure for prickly heat, hence its local name. (Chhapākī is a corruption of shapākī, “prickly heat”.) In some parts of India it is used as a decoy for small birds.
[102] Murg͟h-i shab-āhang.
[103] Murg͟h-i Ḥaqq. Ḥaqq means the “Truth” or “God.” This little owl, which is probably the Persian owlet (Athene Persica), is reverenced by Muhammadans: it clings to walls and cries “Ḥaqq, Ḥaqq,” after the manner of the dervishes.
[104] Kākulī. Elsewhere the author states that the Arabs call this lark quṃburah, which is an Arab name for the Crested Lark (Alauda cristata).
CHAPTER IX
THE HARRIERS
Harriers.—[The author next proceeds to describe what appear to be two species of harriers. He says:]—