Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-10-11
Brlntu11t Ghrnttirlf.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER II, 1855.
LEGENDS AROTT BIRDS.


rum lChAobC oAeAAuANs mum IL SNoA
ious lore has existed on the subjects of
birds, and ornithomancy, or the science
of divination by birds, has still many
credulous believers. The feather deni-
zens of the air were supposed to be favor
ties with the gods, having always some
subtle connection with the shadowy
region beyond, and, therefore, endowed
with unusual prescience concerning the
powers of nature.
The gods of heathendom were fire.
quently transformed into birds, and
classical authors abound in instances of
ordinary mortals condemned to exist in
bird shape for periods of greater or less
duration. In Vedaic lore, Agni often
appeared as a falcon or eagle. Zeus or
Jupiter became an eagle to seduce the
young Ganymede, and a swan in order
to make love to Leda. King Arthur,
the early British hero, was, said popular
tradition, transformed into a raven. In
Irish lore, the children of Eir were trans
formed into swans, to wander for cen
turies.
Many of the ancient gods and god
desses have as attributes certain ones of
the feathery tribe. The eagle was the
bird of Jove; the peacock, the goose and
the cuckoo belonged to Juno; the owl,
symbol of meditation, to Athens; while
Apollo also claimed the goose. To Mars
was dedicated the wOodpecker; to Venus
the sparrow and dove. The woodpecker
is Picus, soothsayer, who failed to re-
ciprocate Circe's love, and was meta
morphosed in consequence. Much pop
ular lore relates to this bird.
Savages had many legends about birds,
usually in connection with meteorologi-
cal phenomena. The Haidah Indians
claim descent from the crow. VOtan,
the Maya hero, is represented as swal-
low, and the owl is a cultured hero of
the Tuparaguas of California The Pimas
say the eagle caused the deluge.
1t is very old conception that the soul
passes to heaven in the form of bird,
and some say these souls f1utter about
us in bird shape. The Powhatan tribe
would not touch wood birds, regarding
them as the animated souls of their dead
chiefs, and the Indians near ST. An
thongs Falls said the spirits of dead war
riors hovered about in the shape of
eagles.
The Hurons thought that turtle doves
were the abodes of departed souls, and
the Abipones claimed the same for the
red headed duck, regarding it as an omen
of death to see it flying slowly overhead
Several South American tribes enter
tanned similar ideas concerning many
birds.
Thlinkeets reverenced Yebr, the crea-
tor crow, and DelawareS thought their
guardian spirit, in eagle shape, hung
over them, and that, if pleased, corn
would be plentiful, and the hunting sue
cessful, but if it were angry, thunder and
lightning would attend its rage. The
diver was sacred among the Hurons, en-
bodying the souls of the dead. The Flat
heads say the speckled duck is a meta
morphosed weeping Indian wife. The
Kailla Indians say the soul is carried to
heaven by a bird; but hawk that fol-
lows will catch it if it is impeded by its
sins. The Ojibways call the bridge over
which souls travel "the owl bridge"
This conception of the bird as 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
tradition represents it as flying over the
cross during the crucifixion of Christ,
and crying "Svala! svalaP' (comfort). Its
presence about the house or barn is an
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 it flew about the cross, saying,
'Styrkal StyrkaP' (strengthen). And it
is therefore bird of good omen.
There are three of the smaller birds
common to many countries, which are
also, regarded as sacred. These are the
robin, the wren and the cuckoo. In Scot
land the robin is never mOlested, for it
is said to have drop of Gods blood
in it.
A Breton tradition alleges that the |
wren brought fire from heaven, but lost |
a part of its plumage. There is popu-
lar legend that this little bird claimed |
the title of king of birds by contest with |
the eagle as to which could mount the
highest. Perched upon the back of the
larger bird, the little wren scared beyond |
its competitor and won the title.
The cuckoo bears character in pop |
ular lore much like that of the wren. 1t
is more of prophet, however.
The dove is well known emblem of |
fidelity and gentleness. AS the sign of
incarnation and of immortality it has al |
ways been sacred to Christians.
The eagle is the subject of much pop |
ular lore.
An old superstition declares that the
king of birds ascends into the fiery re-
gions about the sun once in ten years,
and then plunges into the sea to renew
its youth.
A popular idea, dating from antiquity, |
was that of the dying swan, whose sweet
notes were heard only just before its dis
solution.
The pelican was also the subject of a |
curious tradition. She was said to pierce |
her breast to feed her young; and it was
also asserted that young pelicans were
Matched dead, and the cock revived them
by a drop of blood from its breast.
Another equally ancient superstition
was that concerning the kingfsher, which
brought good weather (halcyon days.
while sitting on her eggs. Pliny, Virgil |
and many other ancient authors refer to
this superstition.
THE yelling about war taxation does
not become the mouths of Democrats.
If there are any taxes, they are the tax
es on whisky and tobacco-the internal
revenue taxes; and yet the Democratic
mind, we are told just now, shrinks
III. L Lo,..o.. e-o.., 4kn nnn+n,,, nlnt;.,, &c