Page 129 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

FABULOUS AND OTHER ANIMALS. 97

commence a and the owner of the victor wins the
tight,
prize."
Magpie. — Doolittle, p. 571: "The magpie is regarded as
a bird of omen. If one, while on a
good meditating plan
about to be or while in a which
adopted, engaged pursuit
enlists his interest and attention, suddenly hears the voice of
this bird, he is to consider it as felicitous, its voice being
prone
and to the hearer.
sprightly joyous, imparting encouragement
There is a which of this bird that 'its voice
proverb says
is good, but its heart is bad,' meaning that it is given to
flattery."
Clutzlaff, vol. i. p. 37 : " The magpie, which by the reign-
ing family is considered as sacred, is a very common bird,
and so numerous that it is a nuisance to the
quite peasant."
" "
Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 260 : The red-billed magpie
is a beautiful bird. Its size exceeds the common English
bird, and the great length of its tail bestows upon it a more
slender and The colours are blue,
elegant aspect. prevailing
with bars of black and white."
Crow.— " The Chinese crow, sometimes
Doolittle, p. 571 :
called the white-winged raven, on the other hand, is an omen
of evil. Its cry is harsh and unpleasant ; its voice is regarded
—
as as some because it sounds much
unlucky perhaps, suggest,
like ha, the common Chinese word for bite. While prosecuting
any business or planning any affair, if the person unexpectedly
hears the crow ' bite,' he is
crying out ha, ha, ha, bite, bite,
often with the idea that he shall not be
impressed thereby
successful. The proverb says ' this bird's voice is bad, but its
"
heart is
good.'
The crow, or raven, is used as a symbol of the sun, and
the white-necked crow is held in high veneration, having, it
is said, at one time rendered great public service to the nation.
Swallow.— 572 " The of swallows
Doolittle, p. : coming
and their their nests in a new whether
making place, dwelling-
house or store, are hailed as an omen of
approaching success,
or a in the affairs of the owner or
prosperous change occupier
of the
premises."
Peacock. — "Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 262: "The peacock
is reared in of China, and has been known
many parts long
to the it is not a native of the The
people, though country.
H