[KS] falconry in Korea

[Michael Rank]

An ornithologist friend is writing an article about Korean birds of 
prey, he wonders if anyone has any info on falconry in Korea (history 
or current status), would also welcome info about the Anak no. 1 tomb. 
His interest was piqued in part by this gem from NK news agency KCNA.

Many thanks,

Michael Rank

Goshawk of Korea
    Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The Korean nation has been fond of birds 
with special emotion from olden times.
     　Typical of such birds are goshawk, seagull, wild goose, mandarin 
duck and crane.
     Goshawk has long been used.
     　According to such classical documents of the nation as 
"Samguksagi", "Samgukyusa" and "Jibongryusol" goshawk was used for 
pheasant hunting in the period of the three kingdoms.
     　Scenes of Koguryo people hunting pheasant with goshawk are 
reflected in the mural of Anak Tomb No. 1 and others belonging to 
Koguryo.
     　Goshawk of Korea, which is also called Poramae, Kkwongmae and 
Haedongchong in Korean, has been widely known to neighbouring countries 
including China and Japan for its high hunting ability.
     　Kings of other countries asked to send goshawk till the latter 
half of the Ri Dynasty. 　The bird, which belongs to accipiter, lives in 
the northern part of Korea and passes the winter in the central and 
southern parts.
     　The bird is 48-61 centimeters long and 105-130 centimeters long 
when spreading wings. Its wing is 28-40 centimeters long. It, with 
short beak, thin and long legs and various colors, weighs nearly one 
kilogram.
     　It mainly preys upon pheasant, pigeon, duck and wild rabbit and 
lays usually 2-4 eggs a year.
     　Though its body is not large, it has balanced feature, keen eyes, 
sharp beak, strong claws, very high speed and impetuous temper.
     　The goshawk is the typical bird [end]