THE FOLK LORE OF BIRDS IN RELATION TO ESSEX. 75
I have used these aspects of folk lore as a means of introducing
the subject but they leave uncovered a large amount of interesting
matter. That this contribution may be representative some
of the legends must be presented. We have seen that some
birds receive protection from the nature of the folk lore which
has arisen about them, but on the other hand some birds have
suffered. The Yellowhammer was the victim of a ban. It
is said that in the North of Scotland there is a belief that this
bird drinks a drop, some say three drops, of the devil's blood,
each May morning or each Monday morning. As a result the
nest is frequently harried. The boys, who give it the name of
Yellow Yorling or Yellow Yite, use the following rhyme:
"Half a paddock, half a toad,
Half a Yellow Yorling
Drinks a drop o' the de'il's bluid
Every May morning."
Scotch children also hang by the head as many of these buntings
as they can catch. The bare "gorbals" as the unfledged
young are called are hung by a thread round the neck to the end
of a crossbeam, which has a small stone suspended from the
other. The stone is used as a catapult to drive the bird into the
air. This performance is called "spangie-hewit." Ill-feeling
towards the Yellowhammer is expressed along similar lines as
far away as Prague. One of the most charming of these fantastic
tales is that which deals with the origin of the colour of the
Blackbird's plumage. It is a French story. One day, when
seeking cover in a thicket, the Blackbird, who was at that
time as white as snow, noticed to his surprise a Magpie busily
hiding in a hole in a tree diamonds, jewels and golden coins.
The Blackbird came out and asked how he could secure such
treasure. The Magpie was afraid to refuse as the Blackbird
had discovered her secret, so replied "You must seek in the
"bowels of the earth the palace of the Prince of Riches, offer
"him your services, and he will allow you to carry off as much
"treasure as your beak will hold. You will have to pass through
"many caverns, each one more abounding in riches than the last;
"but you must most particularly remember not to touch a single
"thing until you have actually seen the Prince himself." The
Blackbird listened to the directions and went to the place