Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P444 returned 345 results.
A bird in your house means death will hit your family, or
someone close to you may die.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Unknown
Always burn your hair when you cut it, because if a bird gets
ahold to it, you will have bad luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
Crow on a fence,
Rain will go hence.
Crow on the ground,
Rain will come down.
Submitter comment:
My ex-mother-in-law lived on a farm. She saw a crow in the
barnyard and repeated this poem to me.
James Callow comment:
Puckett, Ohio, no. 34342: "Crow on the ground, / Rain will
come down." -- Slovenian, 1959.
Puckett, Ohio, no. 34858: "Crow on the fence, / Rain will
go hence." -- German, 1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MOUNT PLEASANT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF A ROOSTER CROWS AFTER DARK, THAT MEANS SOMEONE WILL DIE IN
YOUR FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
NEVER THROW YOUR HAIR AWAY. IF A BIRD USES IT TO BUILD HIS
NEST, YOU WILL HAVE HEADACHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
At Christmastime, whether you cut down a tree or buy one, if
you find a bird's nest in the tree, you will have good luck for the
coming year.
Submitter comment: I think this must be a Polish custom.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001920'S
IN ORDER TO HAVE GOOD LUCK WHILE OWNING A BUSINESS, BURY
THE NECK OF A CHICKEN IN THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW
BUILDING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY PRACTICED THIS WHEN HER HUSBAND OPENED
A BUSINESS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SHE HEARD THIS FROM AN
OLD WOMAN WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD IN HER NATIVE TOWN IN
ROMANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
KILLING AN ALBATROSS IN OPEN SEASON IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BIRD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
IF AN OWL HOOTS IN THE DAYTIME, IT'S GOING TO RAIN.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 03-24-1971
WHEN BIRDS SQUAWK A GREAT DEAL AND FOR A PROLONGED
PERIOD, IT MEANS THAT RAIN WILL COME SHORTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
AFTER YOU HAVE A CHICKEN, YOU DRY THE WISHBONE
AND TWO PEOPLE PULL ON IT. THE PERSON THAT HAS
THE JOINT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THEIR WISH COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
YOUR BUSINESS WILL PROSPER IF YOU SEE THREE BIRDS FLY
IN SINGLE FILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
WHEN SWALLOWS FLY LOW, IT'S A SIGN OF RAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
BIRDS SINGING IN THE RAIN MEAN THE RAIN WILL STOP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE, IT IS A SIGN THAT
THERE WILL BE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A BIRD, PUT SALT ON HIS TAIL.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
ANOTHER POPULAR MYTH IS THAT OF THE OWL. THE OWL
IS HARDLY ONE OF THE WISEST ANIMALS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO WARD OFF EVIL IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION, IT'S ALWAYS
A GOOD IDEA TO CARRY A FEW OWL FEATHERS. JUST FOUR OR
FIVE TUCKED HERE AND THERE ABOUT ONE'S PERSON IS
PRACTICALLY GUARANTEEING SAFETY.
Submitter comment:
THIS COULD BE A THROWBACK TO THE AMERICAN INDIANS WHO
MADE EXTENSIVE USE OF FEATHERS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CROW ON THE FENCE,
RAIN WILL GO HENCE.
CROW ON THE GROUND,
RAIN WILL COME DOWN.
Submitter comment: FROM RELATIVES
Where learned: LIVING ROOM
Date learned: 11-24-1967
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname and city of residence.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PRIMM SPRINGS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 08-06-1968