School: Newtown, Fertullagh

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1. Bird-Lore (continued)

   

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   The chaffinch and bullfinch build their nests in bushes ; The bullfinch lays white eggs and the chaffinch lays speckled eggs.

   The crow builds her nest with sticks lined with animals hair inside.

   The sparrow usually gets an old swallow's nest. The robin builds with moss and hair and feathers. The blackbird builds its nest with moss and lines it inside with mud.

   The swallow builds with mud and old straws and lines it with feathers and other things. The chaffinch builds with moss only. The sallypicker builds with moss too. The Thrush builds with moss and hair.

   If the boys rob the birds' nests the guards will summon them.

   When the jackdaws or the crows fly very high it is the sign of a storm ; when there is going to be snow all the birds get tame It is said that a drop of blood fell from the cross of Our Lord on the robin's breast and that is how he got his red breast.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. agents (~1)
      1. animal-lore (~1,185)
         1. bird-lore (~2,478)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Douglas Matthews

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Ballynagore, Co. Westmeath

   Informant

   Mr Thomas Belton

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Ballynagore, Co. Westmeath