December, 1S93.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



183 



Ethiopia, where Bruce found the bird, 

 it was called " Abou-hannes" — Father 

 John. In ancient times the Ibis was so 

 venerated and was so free from molesta- 

 tion that it entered even the most sacred 

 temples with impunity. 



THE STORK. 



The Stork is mentioned in the Bible in 

 several places. It is in various coun- 

 tries regarded as a sacred bird. It was 

 among the ancient Greeks and Romans, 

 as among the Hebrews, a type of pater- 

 nal and filial attachment. It was believed 

 that the young repaid the care of their 

 parents by remaining with them tlirough 

 life and tending them in old age. In 

 proof of this there are many stories. In 

 some countries the Storks are believed by 

 the children to bring all the little babies 

 from heaven. 



According to the Swedish legend, the 

 Stork received its name from flying around 

 the cross of the crucified Redeemer, 

 crying " Styrka ! Styrka ! " (Strengthen ! 

 strengthen!) This sounds well, but the 

 fact is that the Stork has no voice. The 

 only sound it makes is by snapping Its bill 

 castenet fashion. We have all seen pic- 

 tures of the strong young Storks carrying 

 their aged parents south on their beaks in 

 order that they might still have the benefit 

 of a warm summer climate in their old 

 age. 



THE SWALLOW. 



The Swallow, according to Scandina- 

 vian tradition, was also at the crucifixion. 

 It is said to have hovered over the cross 

 of the Saviour, crying " Svala ! Svala ! " 

 (Console! console!) whence it was called 

 " Svalow," the bird of consolation. 



It was a Roman superstition that it was 

 lucky for the Swallow to build about one's 

 house. Aelian says the Swallow was sa- 

 cred to the Penates or household gods, 

 therefore to injure one would be to bring 

 wrath upon your house. 



The Swallow is said to bring home 

 from the seashore a stone that gives sight 

 to her fledglings. This curious fact in 

 natural history is thus mentioned by Long- 

 fellow in " Evangline : " 



" Seeking with eager eyes that wondrous stone 



wliich tlie Swallow 

 Brings from the shore of the sea to restore the 



sight of its i^edglings." 



ABOUT THE SWAX. 



There are many legends and supersti- 

 tions relating to the Swan. It is said that 

 Flonnuala, daughter of Lir, was trans- 

 formed into a Swan and condemned to 

 wander for many himdred years over the 

 lakes and rivers of Ireland till the intro- 

 duction of Christianity into that island. 



Erman, "Travels in Siberia," says of 

 the Swan: "This bird, when wounded, 

 pours forth its last breath in notes most 

 beautifully clear and loud." Another 

 writer says, "Its note resembles the tones 

 of a violin, though somewhat higher. 

 Each note occurs after a long interval. 

 The music presages a thaw in the cold 

 northern countries, hence one of its great- 

 est charms." 



In " Othello," Emily says : " I will play 

 the Swan and die in music." And in 

 ancient times every knight chose one of 

 these birds, which was associated with 

 God, the Virgin, and his lady-love in his 

 oath. 



CUCKOO LORE. 



In regard to the Cuckoo the folk-lore 



and superstitions are inexhaustible. In 



England, once the Cuckoo arrives, it must 



eat three meals of cherries before it ceases 



its song. Then it is said — 



" The first cock of hay 

 Frights the Cuckoo away." 



After St. John's Day the Cuckoo turns 

 into a Hawk. Gamekeepers are deadly 

 enemies of the Cuckoo for this reason, 

 and shoot them on sight. It is also sup- 

 posed that the Cuckoo sucks the eggs of 

 other birds to make her voice clear. If a 



