by Horatius Piscinus on Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:53 pm
Salve mi Draco
The fact that you took notice and thought some significance in their flight would indicate that the birds provided an omen. An auspicium is different however in that it is a special ritual where in a templum would have to be marked out in a special way, with appropriate sacrifices to a series of deities at nine stations, and, as Titus Iulius pointed out an auspicium would ask for signs (auspicia impetrativa)on a specific question or series of questions related to one matter of interest.
Whether a certain action can be considered a sign often depends on what Marius said. If what you see is unusual from known avian behavior, then it can be considered as auspicia oblativa. These, however, are lesser signs, used to confirm or deny auspicia impetrativa. Also, always in the ranking of signs, a single bird is more significant than a flock of birds; a soaring bird, high above other birds, has the greater significance; generally alites flying in a straight lines, as you mention, are more significant than circling birds. But, there are many things to take into consideration.
When you begin to see "signs". or more realistically when you begin more and more to realize that the Gods are sending you signs, then you ought to perform a formal auspicium on the question that concerns your mind.
Vale et vade in pace Deorum
M Horatius Piscinus
Sapere aude!