academy or sciences] DIVINATION AND OMENS 221 



THE OMEN FROM THE GALL 



The only rule with regard to the gall bladder is that it should be of normal size in order to 

 denote success. An unusually large, or an unusually small one, prognosticate, respectively, 

 misfortune or failure. 14 When the gall bladder is unusually large, however, the omen gives rise 

 to great misgivings and calls for a very careful observance of the following omen, for it portends 

 not only failure but disaster. 



THE OMEN FROM THE LIVER 



This omen is taken from the liver of pigs only. In the observation of it dark spots and 

 blotches are an indication of evil and are counted and examined as to size and form. For all of 

 these there is a corresponding interpretation, varying, probably, according to the idiosyncrasies 

 of each individual augur. 



On occasions of great importance such as war raids, or epidemics, this omen is always 

 consulted. But it is taken with great frequency in other contingencies as an auxiliary omen to 

 overcome the influence of previous evil ones. 



THE OMEN FROM A FOWL'S INTESTINAL 



I have never determined whether the appendix of a pig is a subject for augury or not. If it 

 is, it escaped my observation. The appendix of a chicken, however, is invariably observed as an 

 auxiliary to the observation of the liver and the gall of a pig. If it is found to be erect, that is, at 

 right angles to the intestine, it is considered a favorable omen but if foimd in a horizontal or 

 supine position with reference to the intestine, it is said to be highly inauspicious. In every 

 case which I saw the omen was favorable. 



ORNITHOSCOPY 



IN GENERAL 



Divination by birds is confined practically to the turtledove. 16 This homely inert creature 

 is considered the harbinger of good and evil, and is consulted at the beginning of every journey 

 and of every undertaking where its prophetic voice can be heard. Should its cry forebode ill, 

 the undertaking is discontinued no matter how urgent it may be. But should the cry presage 

 good, then the project is taken up or continued with renewed assurance and a glad heart, for is 

 not this bird the envoy of the deities and its voice a divine message? 



No arguments can shake the Manobo's 17 faith in the trusty omen bird. For him it can not 

 err, it is infallible. For every case you cite him of its errors, he quotes you numberless cases 

 where its prophecies have come true, and ends by attributing the instance you cite to a false 

 interpretation or to divine intervention that saved you from the evil prognosticated by the bird. 



RESPECT TOWARD THE OMEN BIRD 



The omen bird is never killed, for to kill it would draw down unmitigated misfortune. On 

 the contrary, it is often captured and is carefully fed and petted, especially when an inmate of the 

 house is about to undertake a journey. The prospective traveler takes a little camote or banana 

 and, placing it in the cage, addresses the captive bird and asks it to sing to its companions of the 

 woods that they too in turn may sing to him the song of success and safe return. 



And again, on the safe return of the traveler, if there is a captive omen bird in his household, 

 it is a common practice to feed it and give it drink, addressing it tenderly as if it had been the 

 cause of the success of the trip. 



" In the former case the omen is said to be gu-tut and in the latter case gi-pus. 

 » P6s-ud. This appendU is a small blind projection found on the intestines of fowls. 

 19 Li-m6-kon. 



" Mandayas, Maflgguafigans, Debabaons, and Banuaons of the Agusan Valley have practically the same beliefs as the Manobos in regard to this 

 omen bird. 



