; its
death generally being achieved by the rifle of some lucky horseman.
The Persians evince great skill and courage in this arduous sport;
riding, rifle in hand, up and down precipitous hills, over stony
paths, and across ravines and mountain streams, which might well daunt
our boldest turf-skimming Meltonians.

"Though several Persian greyhounds have at different times been
brought to this country, the breed can scarcely be considered as
established here. The specimen, however, (a female), from which Mr.
Hamilton painted the picture from which our engraving is taken, was
bred in this country. She was then supposed to be the only Persian
greyhound bitch in England."

The Persian greyhound is very handsome. "One of the finest species of
dog I have ever seen," says an interesting writer, "is a sort of
greyhound which the Persians rear to assist them in the chase. They
have generally long silken hair upon their quarters, shoulders, ears,
and tail; and I think them as handsome, and considerably more powerful
and sagacious, than our own greyhounds. I have sometimes seen a
spirited horse break loose, and run away at full speed, when one of
these dogs has set after him like an arrow, and soon getting ahead of
him, taken an opportunity of seizing the bridle in his teeth, which he
held so firmly, that though he was not strong enough to stop the
horse, yet, as he was dragged along, he continued to pull and confine
the horse, so as to impede him very much, till some person was able to
overtake and secure him."

Col. Hutchinson says, that "In Persia and many parts of the East
greyhounds are taught to assist the falcon in the capture of deer.
When brought within good view of a herd the bird is flown, and at the
same moment the dog is slipped. The rapid sweep of the falcon soon
carries him far in advance. It is the falcon who makes the selection
of the intended victim--which appears to be a matter of chance--and a
properly-trained greyhound will give chase to none other, however
temptingly close the alarmed animals may pass him. The falcon is
instructed to aim at the head only of the gazelle, who soon becomes
bewildered; sometimes receiving considerable injury from the quick
stroke of its daring adversary. Before long the gazelle is overtaken
by the greyhound. It is not always easy to teach a dog to avoid
injuring the bird, which is so intent upon its prey as utterly to
disregard the approach of the hound. Death would probably