390 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



is told by Mr. F. S. Mitchell {Zool. 1881, p. 186), who says 

 that in the stomach of a young bird was found about half a 

 yard of line with a broken hook at one end, and two lead 

 sinkers attached ; no doubt the old Heron had got hold of a 

 fish on a night line, torn it loose, and presented it to its offspring 

 with fatal results to the latter. 



An interesting piece of folk-lore is communicated by an old 

 resident in Cleveland, and is to the effect that : — " To look 

 upon black or dark birds (Crows or Rooks especially) when 

 worriting (harassing or pursuing) a ' Sew,' so that it casts up 

 its catch, tells for a certainty that he or she who sets eyes on 

 such a sight will presently suffer through law. Should the 

 pursuing birds be light-coloured (? Peewits), then loss through 

 death will ensue to the beholder." 



The vernacular names are really but few in number, apart 

 from the variation in spelling and pronunciation of the 

 principal one, which is rendered Heronshawes by Leland, in 

 describing the Nevell enthronization feast of 1466 ; Heron- 

 sewes or Heron-sews at the Neville feasts of 1526 and 1530 ; 

 Hearonsewys in the Northumberland Household Book of 

 15 12 ; Heron-sew, Hearin'-sew, and Herring-sew in the Craven 

 district ; Heronseugh, in the East Riding and at Scarborough ; 

 Heronshaw at Doncaster (1849), ^.nd at Barnsley ; Heron- 

 sew or Heron-sue in Teesdale and at Loftus-in-Cleveland, 

 and in the latter district Sew is sometimes used without the 

 prefix ; Heronshew in Arkengarthdale, and Heron-sue at 

 Nunnington. Johnson in the Zoologist (1849), rendered it 

 Herring Shrew and Herring-shaw, and Poulson in his 

 " Antiquities of Beverley " (p. 263), quoting the Northumber- 

 land Household Book, gave it as Heronsew, Heronseu, Hornsue, 

 and Hernshaw. Long-neck is the appropriate term in use at 

 Sedbergh ; and Yony Crony at Settle and Upper Ribblesdale. 



