Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/132

124 p. 217; Kirby in Burton's Thousand and One Nights, vol. x. p. 473). In another of Spitta Bey's tales I find a version of the Jealous Sisters, more resembling Galland's in some particulars than any other with which I am acquainted; while a third contains the story of the Nose-Tree, which I had not met with before in any genuine Oriental form.

HERE is in the south of China a bird which, if very frequently heard, is very seldom seen. It is shaped like the brown thrush, but is rather larger; its colour is jet black, and its singing is principally composed of one loud clear double note which may be represented by the words Ko Ko.o.o.

The Chinese explain its existence by the following legend:—

Long ago, no one knows how long, two beautiful young girls, tempted out by a lovely moonlight night, escaped noiselessly from their home and walked towards the hills to see the blossoms of the strawberry tree (myrica sapida), which is supposed to wait till night to open its petals.

The elder of the two girls was called Ah Ko, and had; lately married Ah Saw's (the other girl) brother. She had come (Chinese fashion) to live with her mother-in-law, and, needless to relate, the young husband was still very much in love. The mother who, like all Chinese women, was a slave to her son was very lavish of her attentions to the youthful bride, and in her desire to please her son was perhaps more anxious for her welfare than for that of her own daughter. Ah Saw. As the two girls were walking gaily chatting together, a large tiger sprang suddenly between them, and seizing Ah Ko in his powerful jaws carried her into the depths of the