HINDU ZOOLOGICAL BELIEFS. 295 



arrive, then fly away at once." According as the Crow obeys 

 your command, you know whom to await. 



The Kite, Garuda (Haliastur Indus), commonly called the 

 Brahminy Kite because of its white head and neck, carries 

 Vishnu. When you see it or hear it, cry " Krishna," and worship 

 it. To hear its cry, which is a shrill, querulous whistle, is 

 always lucky, and especially so on Sunday mornings. 



The Hindu regards as lucky or the opposite many animals, 

 according as you see them to your left or right. If you meet on 

 your left the King- Crow (Dicrurus), Brahminy Kite (Haliastur) , 

 Quail, Neophron, Owl, Varanus, Herjyestes, Simia, Astur, 

 Xantholcema, Squirrel, or a Dog, then good will come to you, and 

 vice versa. Certain others— A rdeola, Ceryle, Crow, Crow- 

 Pheasant, Parrot, Peacock, Common Fowl, Calotes, Spotted 

 Deer, Civet Cat, Tiger, Fox, and Buffalo — when met on the right, 

 are always a good omen. Some animals, if they cross your path, 

 always bring bad luck — cf. Cat, Snake, Piabbit, or Hare. The 

 following are always good to hear: the screech of the Owl, the 

 squeak of the Shrew, the chanting of the Vedas, the braying of 

 the Ass, the neighing of a Horse, and the flapping of a Dog's 

 ears when it shakes its head ; but wailing, the grunting of the 

 Pig, and the crowing of the Cock denote evil. 



Birds flying towards you are of good import, and so also is 

 an approaching Cow, Bull, Horse, or Elephant. 



The Swan (annam or humsam) is the carrier of Brahma. Long 

 ago Brahma and Vishnu wished to find out which was the superior 

 of them, and Shiva kindly consented and condescended to act as 

 judge. When the two deities were ready for the contest, Shiva 

 suddenly assumed gigantic proportions, his feet resting far 

 below the under-world, while his head overtopped the highest 

 clouds. Whichever of the competitors first discovered Shiva's 

 head or feet was to be adjudged the superior. Vishnu at once 

 assumed the form of a Boar, and began digging into the earth 

 with his tusks in order to get at Shiva's feet. He soon gave up 

 the attempt, but another form of this story asserts that he is 

 digging away yet. Brahma, on the other hand, took the form of 

 his vehicle, the Swan, and flew upwards to locate Shiva's head. 

 As he mounted in the air there fell down a bract of the Screw-Pine 

 (Pandanus), which up till then the god had worn round his head. 



