Ululas Athenas portas

The owl was a favoured bird among the Athenians, and so abounded, that sending owls to Athens, was like "carrying water to the sea," or, "coals to Newcastle." It was, according to the Spanish phrase, "Vender miel al Colmenaro," offering honey to one who had bee-hives; "Croesi pecuniae ter unciam addere," or adding a farthing to the wealth of Croesus, esteemed in his time, the richest monarch in the world. The adage is also applicable to persons telling as news what is generally known, or offering to instruct anyone in arts, with which he is well acquainted. Making presents to the rich, and neglecting friends or relations, to whom such assistance might be beneficial, are acts falling also under the censure of this proverb.