(“Glìtheag, glitheag,” ors an Fhaoilean, “’se mo mhac-sa an Daogheal Donn.”
“Gurra, gurra,” thuirt an Fheannag, “’se mo mo mhac-sa an Garrach Gorm.”
“Gnog, gnog,” ors am Fitheach, “’s e mo mhac-sa ’chriomas na h-uain.”
“Glig, glig,” thuirt an Iolaire, “’s e mo mhac-sa ’s tighearna oirbh.”)
In the Highlands the young gull is called Sgliùrach which is the regular name for a slatternly young woman. It is seen in the midst of a storm alighting in the hollows, and restfully gliding to the highest summits of the waves.
The hooded crow’s fancy for its own young has passed into a proverb, “The hooded crow thinks its own impertinent blue progeny pretty” (’S bòidheach leis an fheannaig a garrach gorm fhein”).
Of the Raven it is commonly said, that it is so fond of its victim’s eyes that it will not even give them to its own young. Its supernatural knowledge of where carrion is to be found amounts almost to instinct, and is among the vices (Dubhailcean) ascribed to the bard.
The eagle can only fly from an elevated situation, from the difficulty of getting wind under its wings, and in this respect forms a great contrast to the little wren.
Of other tales in which the lower animals figure, the three following are noticeable.
I.—The Two Deer. The young, confident of its own speed and strength, remarked:—