In the historical region of Romania called Wallachia, there is a female VAMPIRIC WITCH called a streghoi that drains children of their blood. Similar to the STREGA of ancient Rome, the streghoi shape-shifts into a bird and then flies out looking for its prey.

It is tradition in the Wallachia region that when a child is born, all those who are present go outside and throw a stone over their shoulder, saying aloud, “This into the mouth of the streghoi”.

Source: Franklin, Baby Lore, 115; Jackson, Compleat Vampyre; Leland, Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling, 135