Milford chronicle., 1888-08-17

MIA. The 'Pimas say the eagle caused the
dcluge
1t is a very old conception that the soul
passes to heaven in the form OF bird, and
some say these souls fiutter about US in bird
shape The P0whutan tribe would not touch
wood birds, regarding them as tho animated
souls Of their dead chiefs. and the Indians
near st Anthonys Falls said the spirits Of
dead warriors lowered about in the shape Of
eagles
The Hurons thought that turtle doves were
the abodes Of departed souls. and the Abb
pones claimed the same for the red headed
duck, regarding it as an omen Of death 70 see
It flying slowly overhead. Several South
American tribes entertained similar ideas
concerning many birds.
Thlinkeets reverenced Yehr. the creator
crow, and Delawares thought their guardian
spirit, in eagle shape hung over them, aud
that, il pleased, corn would be plentiful, and
the hunting successful, but il it were angry,
thunder and lightning would attend its rage.
The diver was sacred among the Hurons.
embodying the souls OF the dead The Flat
hoads say the speckled duck il a metamor-
phosed weeping Indian wife. The Kailla In
dians say the soul is carried to heaven by a
bird but a hawk that follows will catch it il
Z
the bridge over which souls travel 1.-THE owl
bridgen This conception Of the bird as "A
soul is a common one, and in this shape the
soul is frequently figured in medieval prints
as escaping from the body.
Several birds are sacred In popular lore.
The swallow is one Of these. A Swedish tra-
dition represents it as flying over the cross
during the crucifxion OF Christ, and crying
/ ''Svalal svalal" lcomfort). It's presence
/ about the house or barn is au auspicious
omen in most countries, and it is unlucky to
disturb its nest
A tradition similar to that given above is
related Of the stork, bird venerated all
over Europe Swedish legends say that il
flew about the cross, saying, "Styrka
Styrkar' tstrengthen). And It is therefore G
bird Of good omen.
There are three Of the smaller birds com
mon to many countries, which are also re
gartied as sacred. These are the robin, tn,
wren and the cuckoo. In Scotland the robii
is never rnolested, for it is said to have
drop OF Gods blood in it
A Breton tradition alleges that the wrel
brought fire from heaven, but lost part o
its plumage. There is popular legend tina
this little bird claimed the title OF king @
birds by a contest with the eagle as to whicl
could mount the highest. Perchcd upon tn
back Of the larger bird, the little wre
SCARED beyond its competitor and won th
title.
The cuckoo bears a character in popula
lore much like that Of the wren. 1t is NOR
Of a prophet however.
The dove is a well known emblem Of fldc
ity and gentleness. As the sign of incarn;
ton and of immortality it has always bee
sacred to Christians.
The eagle is the subject Of much popula
lore.
An old superstition declares that the kin
OF birds ascends into the fiery regions abOr
the sun once in ten years, and then plung'
into the sea TO renew its youth.
A popular idea, dating from antiquit!
was that Of the dying swan, whose swe'
notes were heard only just before its diss
luton.
) The pelican was also the subject Of cur
: Gus tradition She was said TO pierce h
: breast TO feed her young and it was also a
serted that young pelicans were Matched dea
, and the cock revived them by "a drop
: blood from its breast.
u Another equally ancient superstition WI
2 that concerning tho kingtisher, whiC
i brought good weather thalcyon days. whi
sitting on her eggs. Pliny, Virgil and mar
: other ancient authors refer to this supersi
u tion.-F S. Bassett in Globe-DemOcrat.