第 44 至 47 題為題組
Falcons are powerful birds that may be trained to hunt in cooperation with humans. The art of
training falcons as “hunting dogs of the skies” is called falconry. It was developed in the ancient Arabian
Desert around 4000 B.C. In the past, falconry mainly involved hunting with falcons to supplement one’s
diet. But now, it has become the favorite sport and pastime in the Arabian Peninsula. Falconry includes three major processes: acquiring the falcons, training them, and hunting with them.
Every year, falconers begin capturing wild falcons in June and July, the migration season. The best birds
to catch are the ones with naturally nurtured hunting skills, aged one or two years. Once the falcons are
captured, their heads are immediately covered with a leather hood. This is essential because they imprint
as their master whomever they see first after the hood is removed. Right after a bird is caught, the training
process starts. It begins by depriving the bird of food to make it easier to tame. The birds are taught to
know their own name and respond to their master when called. Arab falconers live with their birds day
and night in order to build a strong relationship with them. By the end of October or mid-November, the trained falcons are ready to hunt in the desert. They
have excellent vision, 2.6 times greater than that of a human. They are also the fastest divers on the planet.
One hunting technique that sets them apart from other animals is that they can be trained to deliver their
prey, without killing it first. This is vital in Islamic culture because animals used for food must still be
alive to ensure that the meat is halal, that is, properly prepared according to Islamic law.
Falcons have played such a crucial role in traditional Islamic cultures that a number of countries in
the Middle East have made them their national bird. Falconry has grown so popular that specialist
hospitals have been established to take care of these magnificent birds. Falcons are even issued their own
passports. They are the only animals in the United Arab Emirates that are legally allowed to travel inside
planes, enjoying a level of luxury that some humans can only dream of. 【題組】45. What is the main reason for Arabic people to hunt with falcons today?
(A) To supplement their diet. (B) To serve as entertainment and exercise.
(C) To worship their national bird. (D) To replace the practice of hunting with dogs.
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