FABLE AND FOLKLORE 213 



confined to the prominent raven and crow, whose pro- 

 phetic qualities have been portrayed in another chapter, 

 for various birds came to be considered "fortunate" or 

 "unfortunate," from the point of view of the seeker after 

 supernal guidance, either on account of their own 

 characteristics or according to the place and manner of 

 their appearance; hence the same species might, at dif- 

 ferent times, foretell contrary events. Let me quote here 

 a succinct statement from The Encyclopedia Londonensis, 

 published in the early part of the 18th century: 



If a flock of various birds came flying about any man it was 

 an excellent omen. The eagle was particularly observed for 

 drawing omens; when it was observed to be brisk and lively, 

 and especially if, during its sportiveness, it flew from the right 

 hand to the left, it was one of the best omens that the gods 

 could give. Respecting vultures there are different opinions, 

 both among the Greek and the Roman authors; by some they 

 are represented as birds of lucky omen, while Aristotle and 

 Pliny reckon them among the unlucky birds. If the hawk was 

 seen seizing and devouring her prey, it portended death; but if 

 the prey escaped deliverance from danger was portended. 

 Swallows wherever and under whatever circumstances they 

 were seen were unlucky birds ; before the defeat of Pyrrhus and 

 Antony they appeared on the tent of the former and the ship 

 of the latter; and, by dispiriting their minds, probably pre- 

 pared the way for their subsequent disasters. In every part of 

 Greece except Athens, owls were regarded as unlucky birds; 

 but at Athens, being sacred to Minerva, they were looked upon 

 as omens of victory and success. The swan, being an omen 

 of fair weather, was deemed a lucky bird by mariners. 



The most inauspicious omens were given by ravens, but the 

 degree of misfortune which they were supposed to portend 

 depended, in some measure, in their appearing on the right 

 hand or the left; if they came croaking on the right hand it 

 was a tolerably good omen; but if on the left a very bad one. 

 . . . The crow appearing [at a wedding] denoted long life to 

 the married pair, if it appeared with its mate ; but if it was seen 

 single separation and sorrow were portended. Whence it was 



