FOLKLORE OF TIIK MALAYS. 13 



The supernatural bird Gerda (Garuda, the eagle of Vishnu), who 

 figures frequently in Malay romances, is dimly known to the 

 Malay peasant. If, during the day, the sun is suddenly overcast 

 by clouds and shadow succeeds to brilliancy, the Pcrak Malay will 

 say " Gerda is spreading out his wings to dry." ° Tales are told, 

 too, of other fabulous birds — the jintayu, which is never seen, though 

 its note is heard, and which announces the approach of rain ; f and 

 the chandrawasi which has no feet. The chandrawasi lives in the 

 air, and is constantly on the wing, never descending to earth or 

 aiighting on a tree. Its young even are produced without the neces- 

 sity of touching the earth. The egg is allowed to drop, and as it nears 

 the earth it bursts and the young bird appears fully developed. 

 The note of the chandrawasi may often be heard at night, but 

 never by day, and it is lucky, say the Malays, to halt at a spot 

 where it is heard calling. 



There is an allusion to this mythical bird in a common pantun — 

 a kind of erotic stanza very popular among the Malays : — 



Chandrawasi hnrong soldi 



Sangat berlcurong didalam aioan. 

 Gonda gulana didalam hati, 



Sahari tidak mem an dang tuan.% 



Nocturnal birds are generally considered ill-omened all over the 

 world, and popular superstition amongthe Malays fosters a prejudice 

 against one species of owl. If it happens to alight and hoot near 

 a house, the inmates say significantly that there will soon be "tear- 

 ing of cloth" (koijalt ~kapan) tor a shroud. This does not apply to 

 the small owl called punggolc, which, as the moon rises, may often be 

 heard In emit a soft, plaintive note. The note of the punggol' is 

 admired by the Malays, who suppose it to be sighing for the moon, 

 and find in it an apt simile for a desponding lover. 



* Gerda meniumur Jcepah-nia. 



f Ldksana jintayu me-nanti-kan hujan — As the jintayu awaits the rain — is a 

 proverbial simile for a state of anxiety and despondency. 

 Jintaya=jatayji (Sanskrit), a fabulous vulture. 

 % The chandrawasi, bird of power, 

 Is closely hidden amid the clouds. 

 Anxiety reigns in my heart, 

 Each day that I see not my love. 



