74 CALF 



The term " Corkyfyre " was in Skye applied to a calf supposed 

 to be off a domestic cow by a wild or water-bull from the sea or 

 loch. Also applied to an extra wild or spirited calf generally. In 

 Ireland and parts of Argyllshire it is, or used to be, a practice 

 when a calf was born, to crush an eg^ in the hand and thrust it, 

 shell and all, down the animal's throat. A calf sometimes was 

 dragged, immediately or shortly after being born, round the yard 

 or place by the heels, for luck. Baoghan an cois gach bo, a calf 

 (silly one) following each cow. " Buthach " means an instrument 

 to prevent calves from sucking (J. M., Uist). Lia, Hag or lias, 

 means a calf s hut, also lamb's. 



The term "crodhan " or " croan," is one not much known, and 

 may be explained as a piece of wood fixed in or tied to the mouth 

 of a calf, like a bit, and round the back of the head, to prevent it 

 sucking its mother when following. Another instrument used for 

 the same purpose was and is called " biorach," being a nose-ring 

 of leather with short spikes set in. A calf, therefore, fed from 

 milk in pail is called a "sarrowing" calf, i.e., a serving calf. A 

 pudding made of a calfs entrails is called " creachan." 



Cameron, in his Gaelic names for Plants, gives " Lus nan laogh," 

 the calf or fawn's plant for oxpine, elsewhere orpine, golden 

 saxifrael, or luck bean ; it is said, when infused, to be a remedy 

 for headache. 



The following are a few Gaelic proverbs referring to the calf : — 



Biodh e reamhar no caol's mairg nach beathaicheadh laogh dha 

 fhein. 



Be it fat or lean, pity the man that won't rear a calf for 

 himself. (See Nicolson.) 

 Cead na caillich do'n laogh mhear. 



The old wife's leave to the frisky calf — its own way, when 

 she could hold it no longer. 

 Cuiridh aon trath air ais laogh. 



One meal if it lack, calf will go back. 

 Fad a choise do'n laogh. 



The length of his foot to the calf. 

 Feuch an laogh blar buidhe dhomh 's na feuch a chuid domh. 

 Show me the white-faced yellow calf, and not what he is 

 fed on. 

 Foghnaidh feur nach d'fhas do'n laogh nach d'rugadh. 



Grass that hasn't grown will suit the unborn calf. 

 Gheabhar laogh breac ballach 'an tigh gach araich la Fheill- 

 Padruig earraich. 



A spotted calf will be found in every cowherd's house on 

 St Patrick's day in spring. 

 Is fhearr aon laogh na da chraicionn. 

 One calf is better than two skins. 



