The “Luck-bird” (Burong untong) is a very small white bird about the size of a
canary. It builds a very small white nest, which if found and placed in a rice-bin
possesses the valuable property of securing a good harvest to its owner. As,
however, the nest is built on branches in places difficult of access it is but rarely
found, and Malays will give $10 for a genuine specimen, while sellers are
known to ask as much as $25.
The Ruwak-ruwak is a kind of Heron whose nest if discovered would give the
possessor the power of becoming invisible (alimun). But as neither nest nor eggs
can usually be found it is held to be childless. Yet, however, if it is possible to
approach sufficiently near, when the bird is heard calling in the swamps, it may
be seen dipping a twig or else its bent leg into the water, and accompanying its
action with its call, as if it were bathing a child on its knee; hence the Malay who
hears its note says mockingly, “the Ruwak-ruwak is bathing its young one.”
Tukang is the name given in Kedah to a kind of Hornbill, which is believed to be
the same as the langlin of Perak. The horn is of a yellow tinge, and is made into
buttons, which, the Malays say, turn to a livid colour whenever the wearer is
about to fall sick, and black when he is threatened by the approach of poison.^34
The Mĕrbu (? mĕrbok) is a variety of Dove which brings good luck to its owner.
Instances have been known where all the houses in a village have been burnt
except that which contained a mĕrbu; indeed, treatises have been written on the
subject of keeping them. When the mĕrbu dies its body merely shrivels up
instead of breeding worms, which, it is added, would be worth keeping as
curiosities should any appear.^35
The bird called Pĕdrudang is a diver which has the power of remaining under
water for a very long time. It is only to be found where the fish called kĕlĕsah
exist in large quantities. The eggs of the kĕlĕsah are of great size, and the Malays
say, therefore, that it cohabits with the pĕdrudang. These eggs are considered a
delicacy by the Malays, who make them into a sort of custard pudding (s’ri-
kaya).
To the Ground-pigeon (Tĕkukur) belongs the following story:—“Once upon a
time there was a maiden who lived in the forest with her parents and little sister.
When she grew up she was troubled by an anxiety to accompany her father in his
expeditions to the forest, where he was engaged in clearing the ground for a rice-