] 44 HAWKS. 



tellings of events which were to happen. And others, again, 

 looked upon them as sacred, from an ancient tradition, stating, 

 that once upon a time, a book, bound about with a scarlet 

 thread, was brought to the priests of Thebes, by a Hawk, on 

 which was written all the secret rites and customs of the 

 divine worship of the Egyptians. This extraordinary respect 

 was not only shown to the living birds, but was even more 

 marked by the funeral attention paid to them when dead. 

 Their bodies were wrapped up in linen folds, steeped in per- 

 fumed and precious oils, in order to preserve them ; and in 

 this state, they are still frequently found in what are called 

 the mummy-pits of Egypt. A celebrated traveller, Mr. Salt, 

 in his account of Abyssinia, a country bordering on Egypt, 

 speaks of a certain species of Hawk, respecting which the 

 people entertain a singular superstition. When they set out 

 on a journey, if they happen to meet with one of them, they 

 watch it very attentively, and draw good or evil omens, or 

 signs, from its motions ; if it sits still, with its breast towards 

 them, till they have passed, they consider it as a fortunate 

 sign, and everything is expected to go on well during the 

 remainder of their journey ; whereas, if its back is turned to- 

 wards them, it is considered an unfavourable sign, but not 

 sufficiently so as to create serious alarm ; but should it happen 

 to fly away hastily on their approach, some of the most super- 

 stitious among them will immediately turn back, and go home 

 again, and wait for a more favourable opportunity for under- 

 taking their journey. Mr. Salt was so much struck with the 

 resemblance of this species to the sacred Hawk, so often seen 

 inscribed on the ancient picture-writings, or hieroglyphics, as 

 they are called, of Egypt, that he considered it to be the same 

 which was formerly held sacred and worshipped. 



