159
5th January 1939 Bird Lore
Taken from:- Bridie Carroll Kildangan Co Kildare
Some birds give us weather signs. When you hear the curlews calling it is a sign of rain.
Some people take signs from the magpie:-
"One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a wedding
Four to die
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret
but never told.
Taken from:- Marianne Brady Lughill Monasterevan Co Kildare.
Old Irish people have funny beliefs about birds. They say that if a swallow flies in on the door the occupants will hear good news; and that if a robin flies in they will hear bad news.
There is another old fable told about the magpie that one time he was a beautiful bird - all different coloured feathers, but when Our Lord was being crucified the magpie flew past and called out "Crucify Him" "Crucify Him".
From that on his color was changed to black