School: Clochar Nuala, Dún na nGall (roll number 9389)

Location:
Donegal, Co. Donegal
Teacher:
An tSr. Eanda le Muire
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1034, Page 30

Archival Reference

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1034, Page 30

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  1. XML School: Clochar Nuala, Dún na nGall
  2. XML Page 30
  3. XML “Bird-Lore”

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  1. At one time all the birds were grey. One day an eagle showed them a rainbow, and told them that each could have a colour. The robin said she would like brown with a red breast. This was granted to her and each one of the other birds got whatever colour it liked.
    One bird was left without any new colour and when the eagle saw this, she asked the bird, why she had not got a colour. The bird said that there was no colour left for her after all the others got their colours. At this the eagle was angry and said that this bird should be the nicest of the birds and he took a portion of the colours of the other birds and gave it to her. She is now known as the peacock and is remarkable for her beautiful plumage.
    It is said that, when Our Lord was hanging on the cross, a robin tried to pick the nails from His hands and a drop of blood fell on the robin's breast. Ever since that time robins have red breast.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. agents (~1)
      1. animal-lore (~1,185)
        1. bird-lore (~2,478)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Mary J. Gallagher
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Drumbar, Co. Donegal
    Informant
    Mr A. Timoney
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Drumbar, Co. Donegal