PYRAMIDS OF SACCARA. 231} 
to the mouth of the repository ; but we sue- chap. 
ceeded in rolling them before us, until we . 
regained the rope-ladder, when they were easily 
raised to the surface, and afterwards sent to 
England, to be distributed among our friends. 
Another obligation now remains to be fulfilled; 
namely, that of endeavouring to account for the 
singular deposit of these birds in the manner 
which has been described. 
A reverence for certain birds that destroy Cause of 
'' the Inter- 
flies and serpents seems common to the inhabi- ment of 
the Ihin. 
tants of all countries. In almost all parts of the 
world, it is considered as an unpropitious omen 
to put to death the sivalloiv or the marten. The 
same respect has generally been paid to the 
stork, the heron, and their different species. At 
this day, the coming of these birds is hailed as 
a lucky presage over all the North of Europe ; 
particularly in Denmark and in Holland, where 
the nests of the stork may be observed upon the 
roofs of cottages and farm-houses, in almost 
every village. It is observed by Pamu*, that 
the Turks, who do not pretend to be idolaters, 
are as careful in preventing the Ibis from being 
(3) Philosophical Dissertations on the Egiiplians and Chinese, 
vol. II. p. 100. 
