No. 24.— -1881.] SINHALESE OMENS. 159 



Should a crow caw (near your dwelling) perched on the uppermost 

 branches of a tree, you will see and converse with a great personage, 

 obtain a present of food, witness the arrival of friends, or experience 

 destruction, sorrow or death; if from the east, rain or wind : if from 

 the west, the meeting of a particular friend. 



If it caw from the north-to est, or north-east, looking towards the 

 sun, and perched on a dead tree or a tree without branches, it fore- 

 bodes the obtaining of meat j ust killed, or food of whitish colour, and 

 the arrival of a friend within three days. 



Should a crow caw from the south-east, perched on the withered 

 stump of a tree looking towards one's face whilst taking meals, it 

 forebodes death, sickness, a sudden journey, or certain death to his 



wife within three months.* 

 To proceed — 



Translation, 



Should a crow drop its dung on the head of a person it is a sign 

 of great happiness and comfort ere long: if on the small of the back, 

 or on either of the shoulders, the sign of great happiness and comfort 

 likewise: but if on either of the knees, or on the instep, it is a prog- 

 nostication of the speedy approach of his death. 



The sudden entrance to any dwelling of certain beasts, birds, 

 and reptiles likewise is considered as a sign of evil, shown 

 from the following stanza, which I quote from a work called 

 Golalipata Namadiya [©"coo^gas) #3®<®o3.] 



* So Sidrophel to Hudibras : — 



" Is it not om'nous in all countries, 

 When crows and ravens croak upon trees." — Hon. Sec. 



