'Devilbird' nr Narooma (NSW)

["Andrew Thelander" <>]

Hi Mike and all

 

  _____  

then he says: " Before bird migration was accepted as a fact, swifts 
swallows and other birds that disappeared at the end of summer were 
thought to hibernate through winter."

And they were often thought to hibernate underground and dig themselves out
after the winter freeze when the soil was at last ready for ploughing.
Hence the very old Swedish peasant saying (my translation):

 

"When first you hear a lapwing in the lea

Time to ready the plough it be."

 

The appearance of lapwings was the signal that the ground was thawed
sufficiently for working (as the birds had been able to dig themselves out).
That's my understanding anyway!

 

Cheers

Andrew

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