Page:Moyarra- An Australian Legend in Two Cantos, 1891.djvu/55

 The close resemblance of observances of their rites by various Australian tribes, even where the languages or dialects widely differ, is worthy of remark.

2(p. 13) "he will seize Thine own loved Mytah for his bride."

The custom which sanctions the forcible abduction of native women widely prevails, but has often been erroneously represented as a necessary condition.

This is an error. Marriages were often the sequel of an affiancing of many years' duration, and were peaceful and happy. On the other hand, despite any affiance, the strong hand of a warrior frequently seized upon an unwilling bride, and was exerted to retain her, in defiance of friend or foe.

3(p. 14) "The night-enamoured cuckoo's call."

The Australian cuckoo of the colonists is only heard at night. There is an Australian bird, of the parasitic order, which casts upon other birds the care of its egg and young, but it is not known by the name of "cuckoo," which is given to the night-bird whose call reminded the early colonists of the notes of the English cuckoo.

4(p. 17) "the rifle-bird To whom the serpent glides unheard."

The rifle-bird which inhabits secluded places, is peculiarly liable to the attack of snakes which also frequent them.

5(p. 17) "Ye powers! who rule the midnight air."

The religious rites of the Australian tribes, identical as they were in many respects throughout the vast territory over which they were scattered, may be accepted as proof that though their ideas of the supernatural were vague when