RAVEN 327 



Ceist an fhithich air an fheannaig. 



The raven's question to the crow. (See Nicolson's note 

 hereto.) 

 Cha toir am fitheach an t-suil dha isean fhein. 



The raven won't give the eye to his own chicken. Too great 

 a dainty. 

 Ciod a b'aill leat fhaighinn 'an nead an fhithich ach am fitheach 

 fhein ? 



What would you expect in the raven's nest but the raven 

 itself.^ Said of^ or to, those who express astonishment 

 at finding things in their appropriate places. 

 Cruinnichidh na fithich far am bi a chairbh. 



Where the carcass is the ravens will gather. (See Matt, 

 xxiv. 28.) 

 Feumaidh na fithich fhein a bhi beo. 



Even the ravens must live. 

 Fios fithich gu roic — no, a ruith gu roic. 



The ravens' notice to, boding of, or bidding to a feast. 

 Fitheach dubh air an tigh, fios gu nighean an dathadair. 



A black raven on the roof, warning (or notice) to the dyer's 

 daughter. A death omen. Probably the dresses had to 

 be dyed black — for cheapness. 

 Fitheach dubh a's t-Fhoghair agus feannag Earraich. 



A black raven in autumn and a scald-crow in spring. Signs 

 of good weather. 

 Gaol an fhithich air a chnaimh. 



The raven's love for the bone — great. 

 Goiridh am fitheach moch am maireach air do ghruaidhsa anns 

 an arach, cuiridh e do shuil e glaic. 



The raven shall croak early to-morrow on thy cheek, he 

 shall put thine eye out of its socket. A grim prophecy 

 to one going to battle. (See Campbell's Tales, Vol. III., 

 p. 306 — Laoidh Osgair, for another rendering.) 

 Ge dubh am fitheach, is geal leis 'isean. 



Black as is the raven, he thinks his chicken fair. Love of 

 what is one's own. 

 " Groc, groc," ars' am fitheach, " 's e mo mhac sa 'chrimeas na 

 h-uain. 



" Croak, croak," says the raven, " it's my son that will pick 

 the lambs." 

 Is ann 'n nead am fitheach a gheibhear am fitheach. 



'Tis in the raven's nest the raven is found. (See ante, 

 " Ciod," etc.) 

 Is leis an fhitheach a's moiche dh' eireas suil a bheothaieh 

 anns an fheith. 



The raven that rises first (or earliest), will get the eye of 

 the beast in the bog. (See ante, ''Am fitheach a dh' 

 eireas," etc.) 



