That Rain and Tempest may come to naught.”
With the foregoing should be classed such charms as are used by the Malays to dispel the yellow sunset glow.[9]
2. BIRDS AND BIRD CHARMS
The chief features of the Bird-lore of the Peninsular Malays, which, as will appear in the course of this chapter, is strongly tinged with animism, have been thus described by Sir William Maxwell:—
“Ideas of various characters are associated by Malays with birds of different kinds, and many of their favourite similes are furnished by the feathered world. The peacock strutting in the jungle, the argus pheasant calling on the mountain peak, the hoot of the owl, and the cry of the night-jar, have all suggested comparisons of various kinds, which are embodied in the proverbs of the people.[10] The Malay is a keen observer of nature, and his illustrations, drawn from such sources, are generally just and often poetical.
“The supernatural bird Gerda (Garuda, the eagle of Vishnu), who figures frequently in Malay romances, is dimly known to the Malay peasant. If, during the day, the sun is suddenly overcast by clouds and shadow succeeds to brilliancy, the Pêrak Malay will say “Gerda is spreading out his wings to dry.”[11] Tales are told, too, of other fabulous birds[12]—the jintayu, which is never seen, though its note is heard, and which announces the approach of rain;[13] and the chandrawasi, which has no feet. The chandrawasi lives in the air, and is constantly on the wing, never descending to earth or alighting on a tree. Its young even are produced without the necessity of touching the earth. The egg is allowed to drop, and as it nears the earth it bursts, and the young bird appears fully developed. The note of the chandrawasi may often be heard at night, but never by day, and it is lucky, say the Malays, to halt at a spot where it is heard calling.
“There is an allusion to this bird in a common pantun—a kind of erotic stanza very popular among the Malays:—
“Chandrawasi burong sakti,
Sangat berkurong didalam awan.
Gonda gulana didalam hati,