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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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The Ravens
There is a story in France about how that every time that
ravens appeared during the reign of the Hapsburgs that it
was to spell doom for the family. It started when a count
in the eleventh century was attacked by vultures but
saved by ravens and the count gave them sanctuary. Soon the
ravens became a nuisance and a century after the count's
death, the birds were destroyed and the curse started.
Each time they appeared it was a bad omen; they
appeared at Marie Antoinette's execution, Napoleon's defeat
in Russia, foretold of Maximilian's death in Mexico and
the final prophecy of the death of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand and his wife Sophia, thus ending the curse and
the house of the Hapsburgs.
Submitter comment: Learned this on a guided tour in France
Where learned: FRANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
THIS BELIEF IS FOUND IN NEW ENGLAND AND NOVA SCOTIA:
"SOME PEOPLE WON'T HAVE A PARAKEET OR A CANARY IN THEIR HOME
BECAUSE IT IS A SIGN OF DEATH. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS
WORKING AT A RELIGIOUS CAMP IN HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
I WAS IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS WITH A LARGE GLASSED-IN PORCH
AND SOMEHOW A BEAUTIFUL BIRD GOT IN THE PORCH. IT FLEW
AROUND, STRIKING THE GLASS, STUNNED HIMSELF AND FELL TO
THE FLOOR. I PICKED HIM UP AND TOOK HIM OUT INTO THE YARD.
HE REVIVED IN THE FRESH AIR AND FLEW OUT OF MY HANDS. WITHIN
A VERY FEW MINUTES A TELEPHONE CALL CAME IN, TELLING US THAT
A WOMAN, A VOLUNTEER WORKER, HAD JUST BEEN KILLED ON A
NEAR-BY TURNPIKE."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NOVA SCOTIA ; NASHVILLE ; Massachusetts ; HAMILTON ; NEW ENGLAND
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
EXPLANATION OF EVENT
SWALLOWS RETURN TO SAN JUAN, CAPISTRANO MISSION IN
CALIFORNIA
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; RADIO PROGRAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: 03-19-1969
THE NIGHT MY DADDY DIED, AN OWL HOOTED CLOSE TO OUR HOUSE. IT
SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS SITTING ON THE ROOF. THE NEIGHBORS SAID
DADDY WOULD NOT LIVE THROUGH THE NIGHT. HE DIDN'T, BUT THE OWL'S
HOOTING DID NOT MAKE HIM DIE. HE WAS ALREADY ALMOST DEAD.
Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
LEGEND OF CHRIST
WHILE OUR LORD WAS BEING CRUCIFIED, TWO BIRDS WHO
WERE FLYING ACROSS CALVARY NOTICED HIM. AS THEY SAW
HIS TORMENT, THEY SWOOPED OVER TO HIS ARMS AND TRIED
TO REMOVE THE NAILS WITH THEIR BEAKS. AFTER THEY
TRIED FOR AWHILE, THEY LEFT, BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE
THEM. THEY AND THEIR OFFSPRING WERE REWARDED
FOR THEIR COMPASSION BECAUSE THE BLOOD FROM
CHRIST'S WRISTS STAINED THEIR BREASTS AND MADE THE
ROBIN EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): REASONS FOR ANIMAL CHARACTERISTICS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 03-16-1968
FIDO
THIS IS A LITTLE STORY ABOUT FIDO, OUR FAITHFUL DOG.
ONE COOL AUTUMN DAY, MOTHER HAD LAID OUT A HAM ON THE
BACK PORCH TO LET IT COOL. SHE WANTED TO USE IT A
SHORT TIME LATER, AND THEN IT WAS GONE. THE DOG WAS
LYING NEAR BY PRETENDING TO SLEEP. SHE STOOD IN
FRONT OF HIM, RAISED HER VOICE SCOLDING HIM AND SAYING,
"YOU BRING THAT HAM BACK RIGHT NOW." THE DOG WENT
AWAY WITH HIS HEAD HANGING LOW. IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES
THAT HAM WAS LYING IN FRONT OF THE KITCHEN DOOR AGAIN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
ORIGIN OF WOODPECKER
THIS INFORMANT WAS TOLD THAT AN OLD WOMAN WHO WAS
DRESSED IN A BLACK DRESS, WHITE APRON, AND RED CAP REFUSED
TO FEED A HUNGRY WANDERER AS SHE WAS BAKING BREAD.
FOR HER SELFISHNESS THE WOMAN WAS TURNED INTO THE RED-
HEADED WOODPECKER TO PECK FOR WORMS AND BUGS FOR THE
REST OF HER LIFE.
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN ENGLAND, THE PEOPLE WOULD HUNT THE PEACOCK AND
PRESENT IT TO THE ROYAL FAMILY AS A GIFT. SOON
THERE WAS THE DANGER OF THE PEACOCK BECOMING EXTINCT,
SO THE PEOPLE CONSIDERED IT A SIGN OF BAD LUCK TO
EITHER KILL THE BIRD OR TO HAVE ANY REPRESENTATION
OF IT, WHETHER IT BE PAINTED ON A DISH OR ITS FEATHERS
STYLED ON A WOMAN'S HAT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MUGGLETON LEARNED OF THIS FROM HER ENGLISH-BORN
HUSBAND.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 11-02-1963
TRUE STORY
SHE ONCE PRAYED FOR A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING.
IT CAME IN THE FORM OF A BLACK PIECE OF PAPER ON A
FENCE. THEY GRABBED THE SO-CALLED PAPER, WHICH
SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO A TURKEY. THEY GRABBED IT
AND KILLED IT AND COOKED IT FOR THANKSGIVING.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND OF THE WINDEGOE
A LARGE BIRD CALLED THE WINDEGOE WITH SPIRIT-LIKE QUALITIES
OFTEN CAME OUT OF THE SWAMP AND THREATENED OR ATE PEOPLE OF
THAT AREA (EAGLE LAKE, MICHIGAN). IT COULD NOT BE CAUGHT OR SHOT
BECAUSE THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAGLE LAKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 00001956-00001957
KIBITZER
ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL
SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE
Date learned: 10-23-1965
HOW THE HUNGARIAN SCISSORBILL BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME
THIS BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT, WHEN CHRIST
WAS CRUCIFIED, THIS BIRD WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE TRIED TO PULL THE
NAILS OUT AND THUS RECEIVED ITS TWISTED BILL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
OWL MYTH
THE OWLS OF CANADA LAY UP A STORE OF LIVE MICE FOR THE WINTER,
THE LEGS OF WHICH THEY FIRST BREAK, TO PREVENT THEM FROM RUNNING
AWAY, AND THEN FEED THEM CAREFULLY, AND FATTEN THEM, TILL WANTED
FOR USE.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY FRENCH TRAVELLER, PIERRE CHARLEVOIX.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
Date learned: 03-18-1968
TALL TALE
THE CROPS IN IRELAND WERE SO POOR ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF A DROUGHT,
THAT THE CROWS HAD TO GET DOWN ON THEIR KNEES TO EAT THE GRAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
BELIEF IN PARAGUAY
THE PEASANT PEOPLE OF THE COAST BELIEVE THAT IN PAST TIMES, THERE
WAS AN INDIAN GIRL OUT LOOKING FOR HER BROTHER AND THE FOREST
DEMONS HAD TURNED HIM INTO A BIRD AND THE BIRD IS CALLED THE
CHUQUI BIRD. IT IS ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE LOST SOUL OF THE BOY
IS CONTAINED IN THIS BIRD AND THE PEOPLE FEEL THAT IT IS GOOD
LUCK TO FIND THIS BIRD.
Submitter comment:
MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS WHILE HE LIVED IN LATIN AMERICA. HE
TOLD IT TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WORKED WITH HIM AT IRA WILSON
& SONS CREAMERY IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
LEGEND OF THE CUCKOO BIRD
IN SOME REMOTE VILLAGE OF MACEDONIA, WOMEN WILL TELL YOU THAT IF
YOU WAKE UP EARLY IN (THE) MORNING AND HEAR THE SOUND OF THE
CUCKOO BIRD, THERE WILL BE A DEATH OF A CLOSE RELATIVE. TO
AVOID THIS, YOU MUST GET SOME LIQUID OR FOOD INTO YOU BEFORE YOU
HEAR THE CUCKOO. A WOMAN NAMED SOPHIA ONCE WOKE UP EARLY AND,
AS SHE WAS LYING (IN) BED, SHE HEARD THE CUCKOO. THAT DAY SHE
GOT NEWS THAT HER SISTER IN THE NEXT VILLAGE HAD DIED.
Submitter comment: JAMES'S FATHER RELATED THIS STORY TO HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
LEGEND: THE WHITE EAGLE
AN OLD LEGEND TELLS THAT 3 PRINCELY BROTHERS LIVED SOMEWHERE IN
THE WIDE STRETCHES OF COUNTRY BETWEEN THE BALTIC AND THE BLACK
SEA. THEIR NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH, AND RUTH.
THE FIRST TOOK THE NORTHERN LANDS AND BECAME KING OF THE LECHITES
OR POLES. THE SECOND REIGNED IN THE SOUTH, AND FOUNDED BOHEMIA,
THE CZECH KINGDOM; AND THE THIRD, RUTH, WENT TO THE EAST AND
REIGNED OVER THE RUTHENIANS.
PRINCE LECH WHILE HUNTING FOUND A NEST OF WHITE EAGLES WITH MALE
AND FEMALE TYPES. SUCH BIRDS WERE ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN IN THOSE
PARTS. THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A PROPHETIC SIGN BY THE PRINCE.
HE DECIDED TO FOUND HIS CAPITOL THERE, CALLING IT GNIEGN, WHICH
MEANS "NEST TOWN," SAYING "HERE SHALL BE OUR NEST."
HE CHOSE AS HIS EMBLEM THE WHITE EAGLE, WHICH APPEARS WEARING
A CROWN ON ITS HEAD IN THE COAT OF ARMS OF POLAND. IN FACT,
POLAND IS OFTEN CALLED THE LAND OF THE WHITE EAGLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
A LEGEND OF POLAND'S BEGINNING
IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CHARWOYA THERE ARE TWO PROMINENT HEIGHTS,
KRAPINA AND PSARY, WITH RUINS OF CASTLES ON THEM. IT IS SAID
THAT THERE LIVED THREE BROTHERS, PAGAN SLAVIC PRINCES--LECH,
CZECH, AND RUS--SONS OF THE NOBLEMAN PANANOW. THEIR SISTER
WYLINDA, WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH AN ENEMY LEADER, CAUSED WAR UPON
THE SLAVIC ARMY AND A GREAT DEFEAT. THEY GAVE THEIR SISTER THE
DEATH PENALTY AND THEN LEFT THEIR HOME FOR GOOD.
THIS (WAS) ABOUT THE YEAR 550 A.D. WHEN THE BROTHERS CROSSED THE
DUNAJ RIVER AND WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS. LECH WENT WITH HIS
LEAGUE OF MEN TO THE RIVER WARTA, NEAR THE LAKE GOPTO, WHERE A
SLAVIC GROUP CALLED POLAMIE LIVED. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT SUNSET,
HE SAW A NEST IN THE TREES FROM WHERE A WHITE EAGLE HAD JUST
FLOWN OUT. AT THAT PLACE HE DECIDED TO SETTLE, NAMING THE
PLACE GNIEGNO (MEANING "NEST") AND FOUNDING THE KINGDOM NAMED
POLAKOMI (MEANING "AFTER LECH"). THE KINGDOM THEN TOOK AS THEIR
COAT OF ARMS THE HWITE EAGLE WITH OPEN WINGS FOR FLIGHT IN THE
FIELD OF RED.
IT IS ALSO TOLD THAT, AFTER MANY YEARS, THE BROTHERS OF LECH,
CZECH (FROM WHOM CAME THE CZECHS) AND RUS (THE FOUNDER OF THE
RUSSIAN PEOPLE) MET AGAIN AT THIS SAME PLACE. HERE THERE WAS A
CITY BUILT SOON AFTER IN HONOR OF THIS MEETING CALLED POZNAN.
IN POLISH IT MEANS "A MEETING." THIS CITY EXISTS TO THIS DAY,
POZNAN OR POSEN, POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHICKEN BONE REEF
OLD TIMERS ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES ALL TALKED ABOUT "CHICKEN BONE
REEF," BUT NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN IT, AND NO CHART SHOWED IT; BUT
ANY SAILOR WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT WAS IN THE DETROIT RIVER JUST
OFF WOODWARD AVENUE. IT WAS HERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVENUE
CUTTER "FESSENDON" AND THE NAVY GUNBOAT "MICHIGAN" AND OTHERS
USED TO ANCHOR FOR LONG TIMES. ORDINARY MERCHANT SAILORS CLAIMED
THAT "CHICKEN BONE REEF" WAS BUILT UP FROM THE RIVER BOTTOM BY
ALL THE CHICKEN BONES THAT WERE THROWN OVERBOARD FROM THE TABLES
OF THE SHIPS ANCHORED THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN