Death Bird

In Poland, where the moth was called the wandering death-bird, its cries were likened to those of a grief-stricken child. ❋ Unknown (2011)

The death-bird was Granny Wallon's private pet and messenger, and she gave a skip as she told us about him. ❋ Lee, Laurie (1959)

Bats are on the wing, the night-hawk careers above the trees, fire-flies flit about, and the death-bird calls_. ❋ Sarah Anne Curzon (1865)

In the tower hooted the owls, and the death-bird screamed. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

The "death-bird" stared at him without moving a muscle. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

The "death-bird," as they called her, was standing there in front of the trellised gate with her eyes fixed on the windows, her face was as pale as the face of a corpse, and her white hair was fluttering in the tempestuous night. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

The old hag, "the death-bird," was crouching there on the church steps with a bundle of healing herbs in her lap, and her crutch under her armpits, and with her chin resting on her knee. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

"Did you not hear the cry of the death-bird?" stammered he. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

The "death-bird" drew herself up straight at these words, she seemed as big again as her usual old shrunken self, and pointed towards the churchyard with her crutch. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

The "death-bird" has whispered the magic spell, and Death will obey the summons. ❋ M��r J��kai (1864)

And in Poland, where it is known as the "wandering death-bird", the strange squeak it makes when handled was said to be the moaning of a grief-stricken child.

"Except for the Trevanyi death-bird and uncounted Trevanyi souls. ❋ Vance, Jack (1973)