"THE BIRD OF CONSOLATION."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 99, 29 April 1933, Page 7 (Supplement)

"THE BIRD OF CONSOLATION."

Superstitions connected with swallows have no reference to the migration of the birds. The belief is that they do not migrate, but that tl.cy pass the winter either at the bottom of a lake or river? or hidden in a cliff or cavern is a superstition. Swallows were sacied to the Penates, or housliold gods of the ancients. Their preservation became, therefore, a matter of religious concern. Hence the superstition that whoever destroys a swallow, or her nest, destroys liis own fortune. Wlicro thf!L swal] ™ nestles no lightning will fall. _ Hie plate she deserts is taken possession of by death. Whoever gives her shelter will l,e blessed. The swallow forms itself into a hall, and so passes under or through the sea. Russian peasants believe that the swallow arrives from Paradise to warm the earth. Its presence wards off fire and lightning. Its early arrival foretells abundant harvests, lo steal its nest causes freckles to appear on the face of the robber. Another superstition—and this may perhaps be said to be connected with their migration—is that the swallows go to distant lands in search of a ccrtain wondrous stone: — 1 Seekins with eascr eyes that wondrous stone which thn swallow, Brinsrs from tlie shore oC the sea to restore the sight of its fledglings." According to Scandinavian legends, tho swallow hovered over the cross, singing "Svaie! Svatc!" (Cheer up! cheer up!), Hence its name of Svate, or swallow, "the bird of consolation."