210 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XIV. 



much more strongly expressed in the sculptures 

 than in nature ; and I have met with one species 

 in Egypt, which possesses this peculiarity in so re- 

 markable a degree, as to leave no doubt respecting 

 the actual bird called sacred in the country. I 

 have therefore ventured to give it the name of 

 Falco Aroeris. 



Numerous hawk mummies have been found at 

 Thebes and other places. And such was the care 

 taken by the Egyptians to preserve this useful and 

 sacred bird, that even those which died in foreign 

 countries*, where their armies happened to be, 

 were embalmed and brought to Egypt to be buried 

 in consecrated tombs. 



The kite was also treated with consideration, 

 because it destroyed rats and noxious reptiles, and, 

 like the Vultur percnopterus, aided in freeing the 

 country of impurities which might be injurious to 

 man. It does not, however, appear to have been 

 worshipped as a sacred animal ; though it is probable 

 that, like the sparrow-hawk and others, it was 

 thought to belong to Re, the patron Deity of all 

 the falcon tribe ; the various members of which 

 were represented by, or included under the name 

 and form of, the sacred hawk. 



The Owl. 



The Iiorned and white owl are frequently repre- 

 sented in the sculptures ; but there is no evidence 

 of their having been sacred, which is the more re- 



* Diodor. i. S^. Vide suprii, p. 94. 



