"Nagualism What Sébillot and Rolland have done so delightfully for the popular superstitions of France Mr. Swainson has here essayed to perform for the birds of Great Britain. He has brought together in the compass of one octavo volume a mass of folklore which was previously scattered through many books in a crude and amorphous state. This large body of popular beliefs he has systematized and, where necessary, contrasted with continental superstitions...."
–The Academy, Vol. 31 [1887]
* * * * *
From the PREFACE.
THIS volume is published by the English Dialect Society in conjunction with the Folk Lore Society, for whose members it was prepared by the author, the Rev. Charles Swainson. The following is Mr. Swainson's Preface:—
"My object has been to gather from various quarters the provincial names of our wild British birds (all notices of domesticated species being omitted), as well as the popular sayings and superstitions attached to them, illustrating these, if possible, by references to similar beliefs prevalent among other nations. I have endeavored to model it, however imperfectly, on the invaluable volumes of M. Rolland, 'La Faune Populaire de la France,' following the classification, and adopting the nomenclature, used in the 'List of British Birds compiled by a Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union. London, 1883.'
"I must express my most sincere thanks to Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown for the help he so kindly afforded in allowing me to make use of his MS. list of the provincial names of Scotch birds, also for many useful suggestions and corrections; and to Mr. Gomme for the courtesy and consideration he has shown in many ways, especially in his revision of the proofs.
"I may add that the completion of the work has been unavoidably delayed from several causes, one of which has been my own ill-health."