CHAPTER LX. On the Number of Feathers in the Wing and Tail

ON THE NUMBER OF FEATHERS IN THE WING AND TAIL

In all hawks, whether long-winged or short, seven flight-feathers, by God’s creation, show from under the coverts called yār-māliq, while in the tail there are in all twelve feathers. Very, very rarely, indeed, are eight flight-feathers apparent under the yār-māliq; but occasionally fourteen or even sixteen feathers occur in the tail. Birds with the latter number are in no way better than birds with the normal twelve.

FOOTNOTES:

Vide note 474, page 112.