What was the importance of "augeries" in Rome's early history as noted in the nonfiction book, The Early History of Rome: Books I-V?

Augeries play a rather important role in Rome's early history. In the chapter devoted to the Kings of Rome they are consulted repeatedly. There is one instance where a man attempts to refute the entire system of augeries but he gets nowhere. Consultations of the birds is part of the process. The wearing of a sack to hide the face of the soothsayer is also part of it. Apparently it is based upon the awareness of the interconnected nature of 'the energies' of the world, be it the breezes, the rest of the weather, the politics here and there, the age of certain people etc. combined with thought that would yield accurate prophecies.