Bird Gods in Ancient Europe 



son called them — and the cycle of stories about 

 Conchobar and Cuchullaind are at bottom the 

 same ; composed at different periods, they 

 naturally show great variations. The Fion 

 cycle is more chivalrous, less crammed with 

 unnecessary bloodshed ; while that of Cuchul- 

 laind is wilder and more savage. In the Fion 

 cycle, again, the traits of Diarmuid are some- 

 what hke those of Cuchullaind. We have 

 something like the same distinction in the 

 Kalevala between Vainamoinen and Lemmin- 

 kainen. Old Vaino, the minstrel, is more the 

 savior and helper of his people ; Lemmin- 

 kainen, the loose lover, is a headstrong young 

 fighter and magician, like Cuchullaind. 



Not only does Cuchullaind bear obvious in 

 his name his origin as a cuckoo god, but his 

 birth, exploits and death are those of a cuckoo. 

 Yet the Irish labored to avoid the plain in- 

 ference from the sound of his name, and a 

 legend grew up to help them. The boy was 

 originally Setanta by name, said they, and 



92 



