Note 197 — Chapter XIX · THE SAKER[196] FALCON (F. Cherrug)

Considerable confusion exists with regard to the various names of this falcon. By Indians this species is called charg͟h, by Afghans chark͟h. By Persians the passage falcon is styled bālābān and the eyess chark͟h, while by the Turks of Persia the passage falcon and the eyess are often both called aitālgī. The Author, however, himself a Turk, states that the nestling of a particular variety is by Turkish falconers distinguished by the name aitālgī. In Lahore to Yarkand, a report on some of the scientific results of the expedition to Yarkand in 1870, there is a coloured figure of an old and not uncommon variety of the Saker, to which the scientific name of Falco Hendersoni is appended; and it is stated that Mr. Hume considered this falcon to be the Shunqār of Eastern falconers. Apparently following up this idea, Scully, in his vocabulary of the Turki names of birds, gives as the equivalent of the Turki aitalgū, “the female of the ‘shunqār,’ Falco Hendersoni.” There is, however, evidence to show that, in ancient times, Shunqār was a name given by Indian falconers to a species of Jerfalcon, vide page 36, note 151. Modern Indian falconers, proverbial for inaccuracy, have a habit of calling any Saker (charg͟h) that is unusual in size and markings a “shunqār,” and so, by exciting emulation, obtain a fictitious price from some credulous native gentleman. Though seemingly only one species of charg͟h visits the Panjab, individuals so vary in size, shape, markings, and colouration, that it is at first sight difficult to believe that they are of the same species. Amongst young birds some are whole-coloured, others have some small white specks on the back, while others again have white heads with spotted tails. In some varieties the tail spots are barely visible; in others they are so white and numerous that the spread tail appears to be nearly all white. Peculiarities may disappear to a great extent in the first moult. The colouring of the “intermewed”[198] falcon depends, to a great extent, on feeding and exposure. “Haggards” vary, nearly, if not quite, as much as the immature hawks. A rare variety is said, by Panjabī falconers and others, to have the tarsus feathered “like certain breeds of pigeons.” In the Derajat this variety is distinguished by the term pā-moz or “booted,” while in the Pindi Gheb district it is considered a distinct species and called Sang-sang. The evidence of the existence of this peculiar variety (which is also supposed to be above the average in size) is detailed and corroborative. Arab falconers of Baṣrah have described this variety to the translator, and stated that it is known to them by the name of Shung͟hār. By the name Sang-sang some species of falcon (probably a chark͟h) is known to the Afghans. The Charg͟h breeds in Afghanistan, Persia, and elsewhere, but not in India. Apparently more than one race visits India. In the Panjab it is flown only at large quarry—kite, hare, houbara, and occasionally at black ibis and common heron. In Baghdad it is said to be flown at geese. Corballis, in Forty-five Years of Sport, says, “This falcon is good at smaller game, such as grouse, partridges, etc.” Apparently he is speaking of Syria. The Saker is too slow for sand-grouse in ordinary circumstances.