NO. 26.— 1883.] SINHALESE BIRD-LOBE. 



1 



There is a saying concerning persons who have been 

 treated ungratefully : — 



Kdkkdta nawdten dunndwdgeyL 



"As they gave lodgings to the crow." (Referring to the 

 Jataka story of the peacocks who gave shelter to a 

 crow, and he in return for their hospitality showed a 

 fowler the way to their roost.) 



The greedy and insatiable appetite of the crow is such 

 that in the Kaputu-jdtaka it is said : — 



Rdtriye tunyamin ekieki ydmeka murchhdveti. 



" In each of the three watches of a night they faint (for 

 want of food)." 



©08 ©s)8@d8. 



Gitel gellu pahankadayak gilukala truptiniwdranaweyi 

 badapireyi. 



"When a rag dipped in ghee is swallowed (his) desire 

 will be satisfied and he will be full." 



The Domestic Fowl, Sin. Kukuld "the cock," Kikili 

 "the hen." 



A common saying is : — 



Kukuld andanakota negitapan. 

 "Rise when the cock crows." 



There is an opinion among the people that at some seasons 

 the cock crows hours (peyas) before dawn, and at others 

 5 hours before. A white cock is looked upon as a lucky 

 bird, and likely to bring luck if kept and reared in a house. 



Another belief is that if a white cock is kept in a 

 cocoanut garden the trees will not be attacked by the 

 kuruminiyd or cocoanut-beetle. 



When a man starts on a journey, if a cock crows it is 

 considered a good omen. 



A talkative woman is often compared to a cackling hen, 



The Pond Heron (Ardeola Grayi), Sin. Kokd. 



The Night Heron (Nycticorax Griscus), Sin. Kana-kokd. 

 The cry of the night heron is said to be an ill-omen and 



