Thk Zoologist — February, 1868. 1091 



Notes on the Folk-lore of Zoology. By Edward R. Alston, Esq. 

 (Continued from S. S. 1008.) 



Nightingale. — I need do no more than allude to the old poetical 

 fable of the Queen of Song leaning her breast against a thorn, whence 

 the plaintive melancholy of her notes. The ancients also believed 

 that the nightingale never slumbered, and iElion adds that its flesh 

 was believed to cause sleeplessness in those who partook of it. 



Skylark. — In Scotland the skylark and the linnet are on the bird- 

 nester's free-list : — 



"The lav'rock and the lintee, 

 The robin and the wren, 

 If ye harry their nests 

 Ye '11 never thrive again." 



The Scotch and old English name of "laverock," used by Isaac 

 Walton, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon "lseverk." The idea that the 

 lark changed eyes with the toad has been noticed by Mr. Harting 

 (Zool. S. S. 421). 



Yellow Bunting. — A strange and unaccountable prejudice against 

 the "yellow-yite " or "yellow-yorling" exists in Scotland, as evinced 

 in the following popular rhyme, several versions of which are given by 

 Chambers : — 



" Half a paddock, half a taed, 

 Haifa yellow-yorlin', 

 Drinks a drap o' de'il's bluid 

 Every May morning." 



Crossbill. — The Thuringian mountaineers, says Bechstein, believe 

 that this bird takes upon itself any illness or pain that may afflict its 

 master, and accordingly it is a favourite cage-bird with them. If the 

 upper mandible turns to the right it has the power of relieving the 

 male sex, if to the left the female, of their ailments. They also regard 

 the water left in its drinking-glass as a specific against epilepsy. A 

 pretty German legend, paraphrased by Mosen, has been translated by 

 Longfellow. It relates that a little bird attempted to release our Lord 

 from the cross, in reward for which 



" The Saviour spake in mildness, 



' Blessed be thou of all the good ! 

 Bear in token of this moment 

 Marks of blood and Holy Rood!' 



