The Institutes of Akbar 216.2

216.2

A well trained pigeon of bluish colour, formerly belonging to the Khan i A’zam Kokaltásh (’Azíz, Akbar’s foster-brother) fell into His Majesty’s hands. From the care which was bestowed upon it by His Majesty, it has since become the chief of the imperial pigeons, and is known under the name of Mohanah. From it descended several excellent pigeons as Ashkí (the weeper), Parízád (the fairy), Almás (the diamond), and Sháh’údí (Aloe Royal). Among their progeny again there are the choicest pigeons in the whole world, which have brought the trained pigeons of ’Umar Shaikh Mírzá (father of Bábar), Sultán Husain Mírzá (vide p. 101, note 4) into oblivion. Such improvement, in fact, has been made in the art of training, as to astonish the amateurs of Írán and Túrán, who had to learn the art from the beginning. In former times pigeons of all kinds were allowed to couple; but His Majesty thinks equality in gracefulness and performance a necessary condition in coupling, and has thus bred choice pigeons. The custom is to keep a male and a female pigeon, if not acquainted with each other, for five or six days together, when they become so familiar, that even after a long separation, they will again recognize each other. The hen generally lays her eggs from eight to twelve days after coupling, or more if she be small or sickly. Pigeons couple in Mihrmáh (September—October), and separate in Farwardín (February—March). A hen lays two eggs, but sometimes only one.