Superstitions And Beliefs About Animals and Birds

It is said that if a woman or her cow are distracted during milking, the cow will give no milk which would be a serious loss to the family who owned it. To prevent this, a red tape is tied over the animal's head, a procedure known as 'blinking the cow'.

A cow calves only once a year and is usually fed oaten meal for its health. When it has calved, it is the woman of the house who has the first milking of her and a tin can with an old sixpence coin inside it is used to bring good luck. The calf is usually kept in the family house for warmth for a while.

If a frog enters your house it is considered to be an omen of death.

Around the lst ten days of April, farmers and the local folk usually await the arrival of the cuckoo:

Cuckoo comes in April,
Sings her song in May
Whistles her tune in the middle of June
And then she flies away.

Your fortune is determined by where you are standing on hearing the cuckoo's song. If you happen to be standing on firm ground it means you will live another year. If you happen to be standing on grass it means you are soon to be buried.

Also, when you hear the cuckoo, you are supposed to walk three miles in the direction you are going to maintain good luck. Only if you are heading towards the sea may you take a detour.

If a raven happens to fly low past your window when you are counting money it is a sign of the Devil.

If a house martin happens to take possession of a hair from your head, and uses it to make its next, this means very good fortune will accompany you always.

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