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BIRDSEED. (1) The heads of the Greater 
Plantain, Plantago major, which are gathered 
when ripe and dried for putting in the cages of 
tame birds as winter food. 
(2) Common Groandsel, Senecio vulgaris, for 
the same reason. 
Birps’ Eye. A name given to a large number 
of different flowers. 
(1) Most generally to the Germander Speed- 
well, Veronica Chamedrys. Children frequently 
say that if you pick Brrps’ Eyes the birds will 
come and pick your eyes oat. 
(2) In several parts cf Scmerset the small 
Wild Pansy or Heartsease, Viola arvensis, is known 
as the Brrps’ Eyse. Also the cultivated Pansy, 
V. tricolor. Rev. Hilderic Friend says “In 
Somersetshire . . . . a large yellow Pansy, 
for example, will be pointed out by the expres- 
sion, ‘ Look at this yellow Bird’s Eye!’” 
(3) In West Somerset the name is somet imes 
given to the Evergreen Alkanet, Anchusa senvper- 
virens, which is also known in that part of the 
county as the WATER FORGET-ME-NOT. 
(4) Correspondents at Thurlbear and Wins- 
combe give it as a local name for the Chickweed, 
Stellaria media. 
(5) The Rev. R. P. Murray gives it as being 
applied in the neighbourhood of Wells to the 
Birds’-foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatis, more 
generally known as FINGERS AND THUMBS. 
(6) Several correspondents at Aller inform me 
that the name is there given to the Forget-me-not, 
Myosotis scorptoides. 
(7) Several correspondents at Chew Magna 
tell me the name is there given to the Eyebright, 
Buphrasia. 
(8) In some parts of Somerset and Dorset the 
name is given to the Brooklime, Veronica Becca- 
bunga. | 
(9) In South-West Wilts the Scarlet Pimpernel, 
Anagallis arvensis, is often called the Birds’ Eye. 
This flower is generally known in Somerset as the 
PooR MAN’S WEATHER-GLASS. 
In Devonshire the name Bird’s Eye is given 
(amongst other flowers) to 
(10) The Herb Robert. Geranium Robertianum. 
(11) The Red Campion, Lychnis dioica. 
(12) Londow Pride, Saxifraga umbrosa. 
Birps’ MEAT. Berries, either of Thorn, Holly, 
= Ivy. The name is often applied to Hips and _ 
aws. 
Brrps’ Ngst. (1) The Wild Carrot, Daucus 
Carota, from the nest-like shape of its inflores- 
cence. 
(2) The Yellow Birds’ Nest, Monotropa Hypo- 
pitys, from its leafless stalks resembling a nest 
of sticks, such as crows make. ‘This is a very 
rare plant in Somerset. 
