242 BIRD 



A nursing song runs somewhat as follows : — 



*• Tha nead na feadaig ann an coill' an lagain ; 



Ni mo leanabh cadal, ajfus gheabh e 'n t-ian. 

 Tha nead na h-uiscige aim am bun na h-ursainn ; 



Ni nio leanabh cadal, agus gheabh e n t-ian. 

 Tha nead a chlacharain ann am bun a chloichearan ; 

 Ni mo leanabh cadal, agus gheabh e 'n t-ian." 

 The plover's nest is in the woody hollow ; 



Let baby sleep, and he'll get a bird. 

 The lark's nest is at the door-post foot ; 



Let baby sleep, and he'll get a bird. 

 The stonechat's nest is at foot of pavement ; 

 Let baby sleep, and he'll get a bird. 



And so on, taking in various birds, etc. 



Though signs attached to seeing certain birds the first time 

 of a year are referred to in most cases elsewhere, they may be 

 given together as follows. These beliefs are said to hold good 

 in the Highlands generally — if not in other places. 



Bird on the wing coming towards one. — A letter — generally 

 good. 



Cock looking towards one. — An excellent sign. 



Crow. — A bad sign — death. 



Dove. — A good sign. 



Duck (wild). — A good sign. Ducks generally are good, 

 especially for sailors, meaning safety from drowning. 



Raven. — Especially bad sign — death. 



Sparrow. — Not lucky, but blessed (foretells death of a child). 



Stonechat. — Untoward — "Rosadach." 



Night birds were supposed to be ominous, and capable of 

 resisting witchcraft, which affected all other birds by causing 

 them to forget their song. Lady Wilde tells us that, with the 

 exception of the robin, birds are not trusted in Ireland. 



Some proverbs are : — 

 Aithnichear eun air a h-itean. 



A bird is known by its feathers. Whether this means th, 

 because of its feathers it is known to be a bird, or froi 

 the style, etc., thereof what kind of bird it is, is ni 

 certain. 



An uair a thig tionndadh (no atharrachadh) na h-aimsir, tillidh 

 gach ian ri 'ealtuinn. 



When the change of season comes, each bird returns to his 

 flock ; or. When the season changes, each bird returns or 

 betakes itself to its kind. 

 Bidh cas an coin ghoraich 's an ribe. 



The silly bird's foot will go into the snare. 

 Bidh iteagan boidheach air na h-eoin tha fad' as. 



Far-away fowls (or birds) have fine feathers. 

 Cha b'ann de na h-eoin thu mar bitheadh am bad ort. 

 You wouldn't be of the birds if you hadn't the tuft. 



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