THE FOLK LORE OF BIRDS IN RELATION TO ESSEX. 73
birds were hunted down by the children, because they were
supposed to have betrayed the Saviour. The Swallow is held
in veneration in many parts of England and it was generally
considered unlucky to kill one. This belief prevailed in Sussex,
Hampshire, Yorkshire and other counties, as well as in parts of
Scotland. The Swallow is another example of sharp contrast
of belief according to district, for in other parts of England
and more particularly in Ireland we do not find the folk lore
favourable to this bird. Among Celtic peoples the reverence
and respect in which the Swallow was held originated in fear.
In Ireland it was called the devil's bird, in some parts of Scotland
it was said to have a drop of the deil's blood in its veins, and in
Caithness it received the appellation of "witch hag." The
White Stork is a notable example of veneration. It was held
in great respect in most parts of Europe and North Africa and
was thoroughly protected. In the countries in which it bred
it was a common belief that if a Stork deserted a house on which
it was accustomed to nest it meant bad luck. These beliefs
undoubtedly prevented interference with the species and main-
tained its numbers, but I am informed that in some localities
at least it tends to decrease; the reason given being that the
farmers are not so much under the influence of the old superstition
and do not trouble so much about the Storks. In the North of
Scotland the Land-Rail is considered to be a "blessed bird."
The introduction of a bird into an oath apparently added
solemnity to the vow. The Mute Swan and the Pheasant were
used in this way. The Swan was the device of Edward I; in
1306 when the young Prince Edward received the knighthood
he conferred a similar honour on three hundred of his young
friends, and after the ceremony two Swans were brought in
"gorgeously caparisoned, their beaks gilt, a most pleasing
"sight to all beholders." Edward vowed on these birds that
he would avenge the death of John Comyn. A similar custom
prevailed in Germany. Even more pomp and ceremony are
said to have been in attendance when the Pheasant was used.
Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, vowed at Lille during a
great feast that he would liberate Constantinople, then occupied
by the Turks. During the banquet a gigantic Saracen came
into the hall, leading the figure of an elephant with a castle on