54 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
entitled to be classified as a fish, and eminently 
suitable for serving at table on fast days. 
Pope Innocent III, however, put an end to the 
popular habit of feasting upon the bird on 
days of abstinence, proclaiming that it could 
not be regarded as being otherwise than a 
bird. 
One has only to glance through old books 
to find that many superstitious beliefs in regard 
to animals flourished in the days of our 
ancestors ; and even at the present time they 
still retain a firm hold in the minds of many 
people, as instanced by the popular belief 
that it is unlucky to keep a peacock’s feather 
in the house. 
By some folk in Scotland snails are sup¬ 
posed to be endowed with the power of fortune¬ 
telling, and we read in Hone’s Everyday Booh 
that: “ The month of May has always been 
deemed peculiarly favourable for supernatural 
appearances. No one will marry in May ; but 
on the first morning of that month, maidens 
rise early and gather Maydew, which they 
throw over their shoulder in order to propitiate 
fate in allotting them a good husband. If 
they can succeed by the way in catching a 
snail by the horns, and throwing it over their 
shoulder, it is an omen of good luck ; and if 
it is placed on a slate, then likewise it will 
