86 ITS HABITS MISUNDERSTOOD. 



" The owl shriek'd at thy birth, an evil sign." 



Henry VI. Part III. Act v. Sc. 6. 



While upon any other occasion its presence was supposed 

 to predict a death, or at least some dire mishap : 



" The screech-owl, screeching loud, 

 Puts the wretch, that lies in woe, 

 In remembrance of a shroud." 



Midsummer Night's Dream, Act v. Sc. 2. 



When Richard III. is irritated by the ill-news showered 

 thick upon him, he interrupts the third messenger with 



" Out on ye, owls ! nothing but songs of death ? " 



Richard III. Act iv. Sc. 4. 



It is curious how wide-spread is the superstition regard- 

 ing certain birds, and particularly the owl. Even amongst 

 the Land Dayaks of Borneo, the owl is considered a bird 

 of ill omen. Mr. Spenser St. John, in his " Life in the 

 Forests of the Far East," observes with regard to omens 

 (vol. i. p. 202) : 



" If a man be going on a war expedition, and has a slip 

 during his first day's journey, he must return to his village, 

 especially if by the accident blood be drawn, for then, 

 should he proceed, he has no prospect but wounds or 

 death. If the accident occur during a long expedition, 

 he must return to his last night's resting place. In some 

 tribes, if a deer cry near a party who are setting out on 



