Lepocestes porphyromelas is one of the most important of the omen birds, as it makes two perfectly distinct notes, one of which is favourable and the other unfavourable. On a rainy day it calls “tok, tok, tok,” but when the sun comes out it bursts into a long “kieng, kieng.” Tok is bad, but kieng is good.
When a Kenyah hears the tok cry he immediately stops, lights a fire, and takes the usual precautions in talking to it. He knows perfectly well that the same bird makes the two notes, and he waits for the kieng. His explanation is that when the bird calls “tok” it is angry, and in a good temper when it sings “kieng,” and therefore it is well not to go contrariwise to the omen. The Iban behave in a similar manner. The Kenyahs regard it as a bird of warning, but not one that assists in getting anything. If a man was doing anything with a parang, or a knife, or other sharp-edged tool, and heard even “kieng,” he would probably desist from further use of it for that day.
The little woodpecker (Sasia abnormis) is in high favour among the Iban; in fact, they consider it most important, as he represents his father-in-law, Senalong Burong. The katupong appears to produce whatever result they require. It is of less importance with other peoples of Sarawak.
Mr. Crossland informs us if a katupong enters a house at one end and flies out by the other, men and women snatch up a few necessaries, such as mats and rice, and stampede, leaving everything unsecured and the doors unfastened. If anyone approaches the house at night he will see large and shadowy demons chasing each other through it, and hear their unintelligible talk. After a while the people return and erect the ladder they have overthrown, and the women sprinkle the house with water “to cool it.”
A kind of thrush (Cittocincla suavis) is particularly useful to the Iban when looking for gutta or other jungle produce. Nendak is a good bird to own, as it is a burong chelap, and on hearing it they would not be afraid of any sickness.
Before starting on a gutta expedition they would require to see something before beragai (Harpactes duvauceli), as this is a burong tampak, that is, an omen animal that is potent for hunting. What they like is: first to get nendak; then wait three days while they are “owning” it; finally, to get beragai on the right. This combination signifies certain success; not only would they find gutta, but would obtain plenty of it, and no harm or sickness would befall them. If, however, they went for gutta on beragai alone, and that perhaps appeared on the left, they would obtain a fair amount of gutta, but they would stand a good chance of some misfortune happening to them, and one of their party might fall sick or even die.
The tailor bird (Orthotomus cineraceus), although employed by Iban only, is of very little use, as it is only a secondary burong. It may be employed as an additional argument when deciding for selam, or trial by the water ordeal. This consists in the two disputants putting their heads under water, and the one who has the most staying power has right on his side.
The Bornean shrike, which has an erectile crest of long and broad feathers on its head (Platylophus coronatus), is used by the Iban as a weather prophet on account of its unerring faculty of foretelling a storm, for whenever its whistle is heard rain is always to be expected. It is very important for Kenyahs and Kayans in connection with tilling farms. When Kayans are clearing away undergrowth for a farm, after having offered to niho (Haliastur intermedius) and other aman, it is desirable they should hear pajan, the shrike, for then they know they will get plenty of padi of good quality, but there will be a good deal of hard work, and possibly a considerable amount of sickness and cuts and wounds. If they procure this omen they take the precaution of building very substantial granaries.
Three species of sun birds (Arachnothera longirostris, A. modesta, and A. chrysogenys) are very important to Kayans, Kenyahs, and Punans. Any one of these species is used impartially, and they bear the name of sit or isit.