School: Calry (roll number 10473)
- Location:
- Colgagh, Co. Sligo
- Teacher: Róisín Mhig Ualghairg
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0159, Page 233
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- XML “Bird-Lore”
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- (continued from previous page)would fly the highest would now be king of the birds.
They rose into the air and the eagle flew higher than the rest. Then the wren got on the eagle's back and rose the highest. That is why the wren is king of the birds.
Once upon a time all the creatures of the earth came together. Every one had some complaint to make. Man complained that the serpent feasted on his blood.
Then the mosquito was sent to see what animals blood was best for the serpent. On his way he met a swallow. The swallow asked him what blood was best for the serpent.
When they came to the serpent the swallow said frog's blood was the best. The serpent got into a rage with the swallow and tore away a piece of his tail. That is why the swallow's tail is forked. The swallow comes to this country in April. She flies straight to her old nest which was left undisturbed during the Winter months in the barn or outhouse.
She repairs this nest and(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Annie Cullen
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Loughanelteen, Co. Sligo
- Informant
- Mrs Cullen
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 58
