[Footnote: Can this have anything to do with the idea of walling-in
the cuckoo?] and then they slept securely, for the Roh hunted by
night. This old chieftain determined to watch the birds, and find
out their nesting-places; so he had a series of towers built, in
which the watchmen could sleep securely by night. These towers were
advanced in whatever direction the birds were seen to congregate by
night. The observers reported that the Roh could not fly, but ran
very swiftly, being fleeter than any horse.

At length, by watching, their nesting-places were found in a sandy
plain, and it was discovered that those monstrous birds stole sheep
and cattle in great numbers.

The chieftain then gave orders for the watchmen to keep on guard
until the young birds were hatched, when they were commanded to
secure fifty, and bring them into the walled town. The order was
carried out, and one night they secured fifty young birds just out
of the egg, and brought them to the town.

The old chieftain then told off fifty skilful warriors, a man to
each bird, to his son being allotted the largest bird. These
warriors were ordered to feed the birds on flesh, and to train them
for battle. The birds grew up as tame as horses. Saddles and bridles
were made for them, and they were trained and exercised just like
chargers.

When the next tribute day came round, the King of Persia sent his
emissaries to collect the tax, but the chieftains of the tribes
insulted and defied them, so that they returned to the king, who at
once sent forward his army.