While browsing the TV listings last evening, I spotted striga [pronounced STREE-ga] in this write-up of an episode of the show Supernatural:

"Something Wicked." (2006) Sam and Dean hunt a striga, a type of witch that thrives on the life force of children, leaving its young victims prematurely aged and weak. However, it is only vulnerable while feeding. (Drama).

I've heard of strega, the Italian variety of witch, but not "striga." Is this one a strident strega?

Italian strega 'witch' is from Latin striga 'witch', which in turn is related to strix 'screech-owl'. Life force is a calque (or loan-translation) of the French elan vital coined by Henri Bergson.

I know about strega from the children's book Strega Nona by Tomie DaPaola. Delightful book about a grandmother witch-type - but a good witch.

quote:

Originally posted by zmjezhd:
strix 'screech-owl'.

So the bones in owl pellets are ostrix?