Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/74

66 which it cries. If its face be between the kitchen-closet and the fire, a mutually agreeable guest is coming to the house. If the place where it is perched be nearer the wife of the house, the visitors are a son-in-law or a friend. If it cries to the south of the kitchen-closet, a foster-father or visitors from a distance are coming to the house. If it speaks with a small voice "err, err," or "ár, ár," sickness for some one in the house or for some of the cattle. If dogs are coming among the sheep it cries from the sheepfold, or opposite the goodwife, and says, "carna, carna, grob, grob, coin, coin." If it cries from the rail of the house when they are eating, they waste that meal. If it cries from off a stone, that is news of a boor. If it cries from a tall tree, that is news of a young lord. If from off the branch of a tree, news of a king or son of noble lineage. If it goes with thee on an expedition or in front of thee, and if it is cheerful, the journey will be propitious and a great deal of flesh-meat will be given thee. If thou go left-hand-wise (i.e. against the course of the sun), and it cries in front of thee, woe on whom it so cries or great shame to some of the party. If in front of thee going to a public meeting, it means associates. If thou hast come left-hand-wise, some of the associates will be killed. If it cries from the horses' corner, thieves will come. If it turn itself once, and if it says "grob, grob," some horses are stolen and will not be found, &c.

If the little bold face cries to thee from the east, a pilgrimage of religious people are coming to thee, inflicting their roughness upon thee. If the wren cries from the south-east, vain-glorious fools are to arrive. If from the west, they are strangers to you. If it cries from the north-east, people with whom are knowing companions or women are coming. If from the north, he that is coming is dear to thee. If from the north-west, religious people are coming. If it cries from the south, if not between thee and the sun, a delightful pilgrimage is coming to you. If between thee and the sun, the wounding of a man dear to thee or a horn upon thyself. If at thy left ear, an encounter with youths from a distance, or sleeping with a young woman. If it calls behind thee, thy wife intreating another man in preference to thee.