SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT BIRDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2757, 15 March 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT BIRDS.

Tm an account of the bird market at LucknoW, contributed to the Pioneer, we tind the following passages " Some birds are used' medicinally, and it is well known what strange ideas nativo doctors have of the virtueß of bird-flesh. Both ,thc .-floah,. and . the, .brains of . the common "sparrow, especially the cocksparrow,'are in; great re put? for certain diseases |;.so ft«eageful of these familiar, chattercrs is never missing in the market. ..Certain species are used in making love - potions, and are administered by rejected suitors to the objects of adoration. On the other hand, the blood or the flesh of an owl is supposed to make a person insane who drinks or eats it. On this account, nicm who are devoured by jealousy af a rival or hatred of an enemy come furtively to the market and, purchasing an owl, in ailence carry it home secretly and prepare a decoction which an accomplice will put into the food or drink of the object of -their malignant designs. : The list of qses for bird flesh is not exhausted yet. Eating a crow is supposed to prolong life by keeping tho hair black and preventing •it from turning grey. The common roller, often called a blue jay, has certain rites performed over it and is them set free, after one feather has been plucked from it. The feather is then wore as an amulet, and. is supposed to have great potency in averting the evil eye. Another purpose for which birds are purchased every morning is to be set free again. This is done by Hindus as a work of merit, and performed as an atonement, ill imitation of the Jewish scapegoat. It i 3 essential that a bird used for this purpose should be strong enough to fly away, but that does not induce the cruel dealers to feed the birds or to refrain from dislocat:rng*their wings or breaking their legs. They put down everything to good or bad luck, and leave the customer to choose a strong bird if he can find one, and to go away, if he cannot. The merit obtained by setting a bird free is not attributed to the Deity, but is supposed to come in a large measure from the bird itself or from its attendant spirit; and hence birds of good or bad omen, and especially kites and crows, are in much demand and are regularly caught to be sold for this purpose."