There's more to Irish bird folklore than the wran boys and the Children of Lir. Birds have been part of our culture from very early times and there are countless beliefs, proverbs and curses associated with them: we believed cuckoos turned into hawks, woodcock holidayed on the moon and some birds grew on trees. This informative, updated guide gives a species-by-species account of 150 wild, domesticated and extinct birds and any associated beliefs, myths, legends, weather lore, culinary traditions and more. Learn the rich meaning of bird names: the dotterel was known as amad?n m?inteach, which means bog idiot and the dunnock was called m?thair ch?ile, which translates as mother-in-law . Birds have also influenced place names throughout the country, such as the Curlew Mountains in Roscommon or Hawk's Nest, County Antrim. Each entry ends with a Facts & Figures section, listing species numbers in Ireland, where it is common and its longevity. |