340 SWAN— TERN 



Such "scientific" scepticism exists as to this alleged dying 

 note, that one feels inclined to question everything nowadays, 

 and even the references (of very respectable anticjuity), as for 

 instance where iEschylus says, " Like the swan expiring, dies in 

 melody " ; while our own Ossian says : — 



*• Sweet was her song as the voice of the wounded swan, 

 When she sings away her soul (breath) in death. 

 And feels in her breast the fatal dart of the hunter." 



A more prosaic reason for this alleged mourning sound made 

 by swans, is because they think their black feet ugly. 



Cameron informs us that the "stinking goose-foot" plant is 

 called in Irish " Elefleog," from el or ela, a swan, and fli or 

 fleadh, a feast (eala, a swan, and fliodh, chickweed) ; the latter is a 

 favourite food of the swan, while yellow celandine is "eala- 

 bhidh." 



The white swan was the impresse of Edward III., and he swore 

 by it, as well he might, for the swan is a bird of good omen. 



SWIFT. — Aigne, an gobhlan-siubhlach ; Clisgein ; Gobhlan, 

 gobhlan-monaidh, gobhlan-mor, gobhlan-nan-creag. 



Black martin or swift, brown swallow, bucharet, bullfit ; Cran, 

 crane ; Devil (black), devil-bird, deviling, devil-screecher or 

 shrieker ; Flapwing ; Harley, hawk-swallow ; Jack-squealer ; Long- 

 wing ; Martin ; Screamer, screecher, screech-devil-martin or owl, 

 shriek owl, skee/, squealer, swallow, swine or swing-devil (North) ; 

 Whip. 



The swift, though of stronger build and more powerful flight, 

 is about three weeks later in making its appearance than the 

 swallow, for which it is frequently taken. The swift is more a 

 town than a countrv bird. 



TEAL (see also Duck). — Ateal ; Crann or crion-lach or lacba ; 

 Dartan ; Siolta. 



Common teal, cricket ; Gadwall, gangle, garganey, green- 

 winged,' grey ; Jay ; Pied wigeon or wiggon, pintail ; Summer 

 duck ; Tael or tael-duik, teling ; Winter duck. 



From *' telen," to breed, to produce. 



In summer the teal is called the "ateal." 



TERN. — Geabhrag or geabhrog ; Steardan, stearnal, stearnan, 

 steirneal-M hic-Dhughail. 



Black or black marsh tern, blue-darr ; Car swallow, chit-perl 

 (lesser), clett, cloven-footed gall (black) ; Dar, darr, daw, dip-ears, 

 dippurl, dorr ; Fairy bird ; Great purl or tern, gull-billed tern, 

 gull teaser; Hooded tern; Jourong (Ir.); Kingfisher, kip, kir or 



