[62] An unusual dirtiness of habit must not be attributed to the Kurds because of the mention of the excess of fleas. The plains of Mesopotamia, Syria, and Kurdistan breed millions of these vermin in the sand and dust, and quite as many are found in the desert places as in the habitations. They disappear in July, to reappear in the spring. [63] By the Turko-Persian Treaty of 1639, the Jafs were reckoned part Turkish and part Persian subjects. [64] There was even a special court language, the graceful and euphonious Guran dialect, an ancient Persian tongue, which is still spoken by the Aoramani tribe and certain of the Guran settled people. The common people spoke the Kurdish, which is to-day the language of Sina town. [65] There is in the British Museum an uncatalogued manuscript of poems which the author has identified as being a collection of works of famous Kurdish poets of the court of Sina. [66] Later information tells of the death of Majid Beg also. [67] The writer stands indebted to Muhammad Ali Beg Jaf for a large portion of the historical matter relating to the Jaf tribe, in all matters concerning which this well-read and well-informed Kurdish gentleman is an enthusiast. [68] Lest this seems an unwarrantable claim to a knowledge of Persian not to be expected of a European, the author would mention that he has lived among the Shirazi, as one of themselves, without their knowledge that he was other than a Shirazi. CHAPTER XI SHAHR-I-ZUR AND HALABJA Next morning with the tea, an individual whom I had not hitherto seen appeared and assisted. He seemed to be a servant, but the garments he wore did but little credit to his employers. To enter by the low door he had to bend nearly double, and when he had fairly straightened himself out he was a good six foot four. A ragged tunic reached half-way to his knees, the length proclaiming him a Mukri Kurd of Persia; and were this not sufficient, he wore the sharp-pointed cap of that race, around which was a blue cotton handkerchief with the two corners hanging about his ears. Under the tunic he wore nothing, except his ancient and patched trousers; it was his only garment, and displayed a triangle of broad chest burned to a brick-red. He had no trouble of removing shoes as he entered, for he possessed none. While I was having tea, the scribe of Tahir Beg entered and partook with me, and upon my asking him who the man was, explained that one of his objects in coming at this hour was to introduce him. He was a poor Mukri out of employment of any kind, and sought service, and as he was known to Lady Adela, Tahir Beg, and Mansur, he recommended him as a servant for me. “For,” he said, “you, as an important person, should not go servantless; it will be advisable to employ a local man while you are here, and he, too, will travel anywhere you like, and is desirous of seeing Persia.”