School: Dunmanus, Toormore
- Location:
- Dunmanus East, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Helena Lucey
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0288, Page 122a
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- XML School: Dunmanus, Toormore
- XML Page 122a
- XML “Bird-Lore”
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- Bird-Lore
The birds that are generally seen in this district are, - the wren, the sparrow, the black-bird, the thrush, the robin, the gull, and the magpie.The Robin is a small brown little bird with a red breast, There is a story relating to her. It is said that on the first Good Friday when Our Lord was crucified that a robin came and flew around the cross, and on doing so a drop of his precious blood fell on her breast, and since then every robin has a red breast. People do not like to harm the robin, they say it is unlucky. If a robin flew into a dwelling house it is said, it is a bad omen, and is the fore-boding of death or sickness among the family. If anybody chances to catch a robin they let her go again because of its connection with the Saviour, and the old saying says, "a robin red-breast in a cage puts all heaven in a rage". It is also said that if a robin was on a bush, and remained there until you passed her, that you would get a present. The robin builds her nest in a mossy fence. She lays about four or five eggs with brown spots.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Mary O' Sullivan
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Toormore, Co. Cork
