The chieftain then marshalled his men, and forty-six of the Rohs
were drawn up in front of the army, the chief getting on the
strongest bird. The remaining four were placed on the right flank,
and ordered at a signal to advance and cut off the army, should they
retreat.

The Rohs had small scales, like those of a fish, on their necks and
bodies, the scales being hidden under a soft hair, except on the
upper half of the neck. They had no feathers except on their wings.
So they were invulnerable except as to the eyes--for in those days
the Persians only had bows and arrows, and light javelins. When the
Persian army advanced, the Rohs advanced at lightning speed, and
made fearful havoc, the birds murdering and trampling the soldiers
under foot, and beating them down with their powerful wings. In less
than two hours half the Persian army was slain, and the rest had
escaped. The tribes returned to their walled towns, delighted with
their victory.

When the news of his defeat reached the King of Persia he was wroth
beyond expression, and could not sleep for rage. So the next morning
he called for his magician.

"What are you going to do with the birds?" asked the king.

"Well, I've been thinking the matter over," replied the magician.

"Cannot you destroy all of them?"

"No, your majesty; I cannot destroy them, for I have not the power;