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Bird Lore Three
lore of Birds:
Magpie to Starling (Page Three)
Magpie
*Magpies predict the future, as in
"One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for secrets not to be told,
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
Ten for the Devil's very own sel'."
*Magpies were believed to be witches' familiars.
Martins
*The appearance of a flock of martins means good luck.
Meadowlarks
*The first meadowlark means spring is here.
*The meadowlark is a good omen.
Mockingbirds
*Mockingbirds are very magickal and will sometimes answer questions.
*Mockingbirds are symbols of hope and innocence.
*If a mockingbird flies over the head of a single woman, she will be married within the year.
Nighthawk
*The feathers of the nighthawk are sacred and are appropriate offerings to the Gods.
Orioles
*Orioles near the house will cure jaundice, if gazed upon.
*Orioles nesting on the house mean Faerie moving in.
Owls
*Owls are alternately symbols of wisdom and deception.
*The call of the owl presages death and misfortune.
*If a pregnant woman hears an owl screeching, she will have a girl.
*Owl feathers placed under one's pillow cures insomnia and nightmares.
*Pictures of images of owls in the house ward off epidemic.
*Tie a knot in a blue handkerchief to stop an owl's calling.
Parrots
*Parrots will lead humans to salt deposits.
Peafowl
*The peacock is considered sacred in many cultures.
*Peacocks are a symbol of vigilance, due to the "eyes" on their tailfeathers.
Pelicans
*Pelicans represent charity and family ties.
Pheasants
*Pheasants bring rain.
*In Japan, pheasants predict earthquakes.
*Pheasant feathers enhance sexual potency, enjoyment and stamina in men and women.
Plover
*If you see a plover, rain is not far behind.
Ptarmigan
*Pictures and feathers of ptarmigan ward off lightening.
Puffins
*Irish belief states that puffins are reincarnations of monks.
Quail
*Dreaming of quail foretells hard times ahead.
*If you hear the call of the quail within two weeks of naming a new baby, the name you have chosen is proper. If you don't hear the quail, reconsider the name.
*Quail are a symbol of courage.
Raven
*Circling ravens predict a battle, or alternately, a message from far away.
*Ravens are said to steal the souls of the seriously ill.
*It is said that England will never fall as long as ravens nest in the Tower of London.
*A raven facing the clouded sun means hot weather to come.
*If you give the afterbirth of a male child to a raven, the child will be able to converse fluently with ravens all his life.
Robin
*If you harm a robin's nest, you will be struck by lightening.
*"Kill a robin or a wren, never prosper, boy or man."
*A robin entering the house foretells of a death to come soon.
*If a robin stays close to the house in Fall, a harsh Winter is coming.
*Robins are thought to be helpful to humans, occasionally granting favors.
*Robins are a harbinger of Spring.
*Make a wish on the first robin of Spring before it flies off, or you'll have no luck the following year.
Shrikes
*Shrikes are considered messengers of ill news.
Snipe
*The appearance of snipes mean rain is sure to follow.
Sparrows
*Sparrows were thought to be born of horsehair and mud.
*A sparrow chirping repeatedly means rain is in the forecast.
*Sparrows bring summer with them when they come.
*In China, the sparrow foretells good luck in the next week.
*In Hindu religion, the sparrow is the symbol of fruitfulness and fertility.
Spoonbills
*Spoonbills are considered sacred to many Native American tribes.
Starling
*Starlings are considered murderous, and are an ill omen in flocks.
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