2 AGENTS OF STJPEESTITION. [CHAP. i. 



pose that a Carrier was made the engine of priestcraft, 

 by having its flight made to coincide with the migra- 

 tions of any wild species of Columba. 



The ancient oracles also enlisted Pigeons into their 

 service. Lempriere informs us respecting the famous 

 temple at Dodona, that " two black doves, as Strabo 

 relates, took their flight from the city of Thebes in 

 Egypt, one of which flew to the temple of Jupiter 

 Ammon, and the other to Dodona, where with a 

 human voice they acquainted the inhabitants of the 

 country that Jupiter had consecrated the ground, which 

 in future would give oracles. The extensive grove 

 which surrounded Jupiter's temple was endued with the 

 gift of prophecy, and oracles were frequently delivered 

 by the sacred oaks, and the Doves which inhabited the 

 place." And it is in allusion to such sacred birds 

 that ^Elian writes, " A Locust implicated the Ephe- 

 sians and the Magnetae in war with each other, and 

 a Pigeon the Chaonians and Illyrians."* There was 

 a wood near Chaouia where Doves were said to de- 

 liver oracles; but Ovidf records that the birds in 

 question were not Wood Pigeons. 



" Quasque colat turres Chaonis ales habet." 

 " And the bird of Chaonia has towers wherein to dwell." 



The killing of a Stork would still incite a riot in 

 many countries, and the destruction of Robins is yet 

 regarded with as much indignation in England, as the 

 slaughter of Doves was in Chaonia. 



Xenophon, Ctesias, Lucian, and other cotemporary 

 witnesses assert, that the Syrians and the Assyrians 

 either worshipped Pigeons and Doves, or at least ab- 



* Nat. Anira. xi. 27. f A. Am. ii. 150. 



