The “Golden Plover” is called “The Sheep’s Guide” by the Longdendale shepherds, who say the bird’s note warns the sheep of danger.
It is considered bad luck to take the eggs of, or to kill the Robin, Wren, Spotted Fly-catcher, and Swallow, hence the following:—
The Martin and the Swallow
Are God’s Mate and Marrow,
or,
“Are God Almighty’s birds to hollow” (= to hallow or keep holy).
Eggs of game-fowl are placed in Magpies’ nests to be hatched, in order to make the game-cocks fight better.
The calling of a green Woodpecker indicates rain.
The name of “Boggarts muck” is given to Owl pellets, the idea being that the small bones therein are those of fairies eaten by boggarts.
The Cuckoo was called “The Welsh ambassador” in Cheshire, because this herald of spring was generally heard first on the Welsh border.