THE PAGAN-CHRISTIAN OVERLAP OF THE WISE BIRD. 119 



At a later period the Holy Rood bears the foliage and tendrils 

 of a vine (fig. 1.) ; and in some cases, as at Moccas, in Hereford- 

 shire, a lamb is in the midst thereof, and even appears to be 

 browsing upon its leaves, although, as we shall presently perceive, 

 the sculpture has another meaning. Meanwhile we turn to the 

 overlap that especially concerns us, that of the Wise Bird. 



Literature is full of allusions to the wisdom of birds. " We bear 

 our civil swords and native fire," says Prince John (II. Hen. IV. 

 y. 5), " as far as France ; I heard a bird so sing." " Curse not 

 the king," says the Preacher, "for a bird of the air shall carry 

 the matter " (Eccl. x., 20). 



For a belief in such wisdom it is not difficult to find reasons. 

 The usual aspect of birds is one of alertness and intelligence. To 

 great keenness of sense-organs they unite a rapid nerve-response 

 so that they are quickly aware of coming change or danger. Able 

 to extend their horizon by mounting far up in the air, and having 

 a telescopic vision, their knowledge of the world is proportionately 

 enlarged . Secret indeed must be that " path which no fowl 

 knoweth, which the eye of the vulture hath not seen " (Job 

 xxviii., 7). They fly swiftly whither they will, and all countries 

 are free to them. They follow the climate they love. They go 

 away and return after many days, year after year, companions of 

 the spring. " The stork knoweth her appointed times, the crane 

 and the swallow observe the time of their coming " (Jer. viii., 7). 

 By clearing the land of vermin and dead organisms they perform 

 important offices that were early recognised and highly valued by 

 mankind. They exhibit obvious sagacity in choosing a site for 

 nests, which they construct with admirable skill. Some of them 

 are acquisitive and some have a taste for decoration. Many of 

 them sing melodiously and a few can actually imitate articulate 

 language. 



It was natural that in different countries men should have been 

 attracted by different orders of birds. The grallatores, or waders, 

 whilst they were esteemed throughout the Old World, were chiefly 

 venerated in Egypt ; and the same may be said of the accipitres, 



