It is unlucky for a traveller if a sow crosses his path.
If, going on a journey on business, a sow cross the road, you will meet with a disappointment, if not an accident, before you return home.--Grose.
To meet a sow with a litter of pigs is very lucky.
If a sow is with her litter of pigs, it is lucky, and denotes a successful journey.--Grose.
Langley tells us this marvellous bit of etymology: “The bryde anoynteth the poostes of the doores with swynes grease, ... to dryve awaye misfortune, wherefore she had her name in Latin uxor, ´ab ungendo’ [to anoint].”--Translation of Polydore Vergil, 9.
Pigeon. If a white pigeon settles on a chimney, it bodes death to some one in the house.
No person can die on a bed or pillow containing pigeon’s feathers.
If anybody be sick and lye a-dying, if they [sic] lie upon pigeon’s feathers they will be languishing and never die, but be in pain and torment.--British Apollo, ii. No. 93 (1710).
The blue pigeon is held sacred in Mecca.--Pitt.
Porcupine. When porcupines are hunted or annoyed, they shoot out their quills in anger.