The Sea Gull
Category:
BIRDS AND BEASTS.
Source:
Welsh Folk-lore
It is believed that when sea gulls leave the sea for the mountains it is
a sign of stormy weather.
A few years ago I was walking from Corwen to Gwyddelwern, and I overtook
an aged man, and we entered into conversation. Noticing the sea gulls
hovering about, I said, there is going to be a storm. The answer of my
old companion was, yes, for the sea gull says before starting from the
sea shore:--
Drychin, drychin,
Awn i'r eithin;
and then when the storm is over, they say one to the other, before they
take their flight back again to the sea:--
Hindda, hindda,
Awn i'r morfa.
which first couplet may be translated:--
Foul weather, foul weather,
Let's go to the heather;
and then the two last lines may be rendered:--
The storm is no more,
Let's go to the shore.
This was the only occasion when I heard the above stanza, and I have
spoken to many aged Welshmen, and they had not heard the words, but every
one to whom I spoke believed that the sea gulls seen at a distance from
the sea was a sign of foul weather.
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Robin Redbreast
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