[The author gives only a very brief description of the Osprey and its habits, mentioning the peculiar structure of its feet, and its habit of hovering over water. He also mentions that like the Shikra Sparrow-hawk (Pīg͟hū), and the Sangak, the iris is sometimes dark and sometimes yellow.[120] He adds:]—
I once took one alive with a chark͟h and kept it in confinement for some little time. It could not be induced to eat meat, refusing all food except fish. It is with reference to the osprey that the poet has said:—
“Thro’ the mercy of God and His tender care
The sea yields her fish to the fowl of the air.”
FOOTNOTES:
[119] Damirdizināq T. Another name is damir-qaynāg͟h T., from damir T. “iron” and qaynāg͟h T. “claws” (nāk͟hūn P.). The author does not include this amongst the ʿUqāb or Eagles. According to F. O. Morris, the osprey in olden times was occasionally trained for falconry.
[120] In the only living specimen examined by me, the iris was light brown, possibly a mark of nonage. In several standard works consulted, the iris is stated to be yellow.
Part II
THE DARK-EYED BIRDS OF PREY
CHAPTER XII
THE EAGLES[121] AND BUZZARDS[122]
[The author commences this chapter with the statement that it is his intention to describe those species of the black-eyed birds of prey that have at different times come into his possession, or that have been trained by him “according to their several capabilities.” His descriptions of the eagles are too vague for identification. All the eagles, he says, are migratory, with the exception of the ʿUqāb-i māh-dum or “Moon-tailed eagle,”[123] which he describes as follows:]—