Bird Gods in Ancient Europe 



Doubtless this is the bird of popuhir super- 

 stition in White Russia which is described with 

 eyes of fire and a fiery beard, a guardian of 

 treasures, and probably not the demon repre- 

 senting the underground gods of wealth, Pluto 

 or Kuveras, which Gubernatis suggests. In 

 one of the stories of the Pentameron a fairy 

 in bird-form stops the king who is about to 

 kill Pontiella. In order that Pontiella and 

 her child shall not die of starvation, the bird 

 picks a hole in the tower where she is confined 

 and gives them food. Here we have the 

 magic woodpecker again. 



Ravens and crows were greater favorites with 

 the augurs, since their wide flight and distinct 

 voices made them convenient for divination. 

 That was a strange tale of Valerius Corvus, 

 who accepted the challenge of a huge Gaul to 

 single combat during the invasion of Lower 

 Italy by the Kelts under Bran the "raven" or 

 Brennus. During the duel he was aided by a 

 crow that attacked the Gaul's face with beak 



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