Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 2, 1891.djvu/418

362 which has probably come about in the following way: when first introduced, its loud gobble, bright red crest and wattles, alarmed the people, as belonging to a savage bird, a veritable vòrondòza; but it was soon seen that there was nothing much to be feared, and so its name became Vòronlòza, "the bird which is not savage", after all. So one of the native proverbs says: "Vòrontsilòza: not fierce (lòza); still, when taken, fierce enough." Another one says: "Don't brag, like a turkey: whistled for, and then spreading out its feathers." Another describes its appearance and habits thus: "Don't act like the turkey: who but he, though not a girl, drags his clothing on the ground? who but he, though there's no bull-fight, hoots and shouts? who but he, though not a matron, wears a coral necklace? who but he, though not a drum, makes a terrible din?"

The Goose is known in Imèrina by the name of Vòrombé, "Big-bird", on account of its size, and is also called Gìsa, from the English "geese" (the plural, be it observed, not the singular "goose"). Amongst the Sihànaka the rearing of geese and ducks is an occupation only second in importance to the keeping of cattle. They are bred in immense numbers, and geese, either alive or killed, are always presented as a mark of respect to strangers. Goose-quills for pens form part of the annual tribute paid by the Sihànaka to the sovereign at Antanànarìvo. Two or three proverbs may here be quoted; e.g., "Big-bird (Vòropibé), little egg"; "A gander eating growing rice; the one taking other folks' property makes the loudest noise"; "Giving one's self airs, like a goose not fit for eating." This bird forms a favourite dish with the lower-class Malagasy at various times of feasting or family gatherings, and its value, as compared with a fowl, is noticed in the following: "As for killing a fowl, that's all right ; but to kill a goose, that makes one faint" (as by far too great a stretch of hospitality).

The Duck is hardly less plentiful in the interior of Madagascar than are hens and chickens, and in the marshy districts very large flocks of them are reared. It is called