Chapter LX: 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_,[770] 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:

[770] _Vide_ note 474, page 112.