Hercinia, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The legendary Hercinia is a bird that lives in the Hercynian Forest in Germany with feathers which glow so brightly in the dark that it serves as a beacon to travelers, lighting up their path.

Transcription

Translation

Arcinee aves dicte; ab ercinio saltu germanie;
ubi nascuntur. quarum penne adeo per obscura
emicant; ut quamvis nox densis sit tecta tenebris;
ad presidium dirigendi itineris; iacte in terra luceant.
cursus que vie pateat inditio plumarum fulgentium;

Hercinia are birds said to be from the Ercinian forest in Germany; where they are born, whose feathers so shine through the darkness; so that, although the night is dense, it is covered with darkness; to direct the journey to the garrison; let them shine brightly upon the earth, the course of which the road is open to the appearance of shining feathers.