142 pfant Tsore, ']s)e.Qe'r^f, and ^3^r\aJ'. 



Tradition tells us of a certain magical herb called Chora, 

 which was also known as the Herba Mevopis, or plant of the Merops, 

 a bird which the Germans were familiar with under the name of 

 Bomhechel or Baumhackev (Woodpecker). This bird builds its nest 

 in high trees, but should anyone cover the young brood with 

 something which prevents the parent bird from visiting the nest, it 

 flies off in search of a herb. This is brought in the Merops' beak, 

 and held over the obstacle till it falls off or gives way. 



In Swabia, the Springwort is regarded as a plant embodying 

 electricity or lightning ; but the Hoopoe takes the place of the 

 Woodpecker in employing the herb for blasting and removing 

 offensive obstacles. The Swabians, however, instead of a red 

 cloth, place a pail of water, or kindle a • fire, as the Hoopoe, 

 wishing to destroy the Springwort, after using it, drops it either 

 into fire or water. It is related of the Hoopoe, that one of these 

 birds had a nest in an old wall in which there was a crevice. The 

 proprietor, noticing the cleft in the wall, had it stopped up with 

 plaster during the Hoopoe's absence, so that when the poor bird 

 returned to feed her young, she found that it was impossible to get 

 to her nest. Thereupon she flew off in quest of a plant called Poa, 

 thought to be Sainfoin or Lucerne, and, having found a spray, 

 returned and applied it to the plaster, which instantly fell from the 

 crevice, and allowed the Hoopoe ingress to her nest. Twice again 

 did the owner plaster up the rent in his wall, and twice again did 

 the persistent and sagacious bird apply the magic Poa with suc- 

 cessful results. 



In Piedmont there grows a little plant which, as stated in a 

 previous chapter, bears the name of the Herb of the Blessed Mary. 

 This plant is known to the birds as being fatal when eaten : hence, 

 when their young are stolen from them and imprisoned in cages, 

 the parent birds, in order that death may release them from their 

 life of bondage, gather a spray of this herb and carry it in their 

 beaks to their imprisoned children. 



The connection between the Dove and the Olive has been set 

 forth for all time in the Bible narrative of Noah and the Flood ; 

 but it would seem from Sir John Maundevile's account of the 

 Church of St. Katherine, which existed at his time in the vicinity 

 of Mount Sinai, that Ravens, Choughs, and Crows have emulated 

 the example of the Dove, and carried Olive-branches to God- 

 fearing people. This Church of St. Katherine, we are told, marks 

 the spot where God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning 

 bush, and in it there were many lamps kept burning : the reason 

 of this Maundevile thus explains : — " For thei han of Oyle of 

 Olyves ynow bothe for to brenne in here lampes, and to ete also : 

 And that plentee have thei be the Myracle of God. For the 

 Ravenes and Crowes and the Choughes, and other Foules of the 

 Contree assemblen hem there every Yeer ones, and fleen thider as 

 in pilgrymage : and everyche of hem bringethe a Braunche of the 



