90 THE FRIENDSHIP OF NATURE 



and supernatural power. In an old 

 legend, Death is pictured going through 

 the land with a bird perched upon his 

 shoulder and choosing his victims by 

 its aid. The bird tapped at a win- 

 dow, and if, through heedlessness or 

 fear, the casement remained closed 

 and shelter was refused it, Death 

 knocked the same night. If the bird 

 was admitted, Death passed on. 



" 1 Knock at this window,' said Death. 

 In flew the bird, scant of breath : 

 They fed him, succoured him, let him fly. 

 Death passed by." 



And even now people shiver when a 

 wind-driven bird dashes against the 

 pane, and half-smiling, fear, as they 

 do when a mirror quivers and breaks. 

 The negress also, a victim of voodoo, 

 with rolling eyes and bated breath tells 

 stories of the magic Zombi bird, which 



