THE LEGEND OF THE LHONDOO

AND THE USHAG-REAISHT,

OR THE BLACKBIRD AND THE

MOUNTAIN-PLOVER . . . . . .

IT IS SAID that once upon a time the haunts of the LHONDOO were confined to the mountains, and those of the USHAG-REAISHT to the lowlands. One day, however, the two birds met on the border of their respectlve territories, and, after some conversation, it was arranged to change places for a while, the USHAG REAISHT remaining in the mountains, till the LHONDOO should return. The LHONDOO finding the new quarters much more congenial than the old, conveniently forgot his promise to go back. Consequently the poor USHAG-REAISHT was left to bewail his folly in making the exchange, and has ever since been giving expression to his woes in the following plaintive and querulous pipe:-" LHONDOO VEL OO CHEET, VEL OO CHEET?" (Black-bird are you coming, are you coming?) The LHONDOO, now plump and flourishing, replies-,, CHA-NEL DY BRAGH, CHA-NEL DY BRAGH!

(No never, no never!) The poor USHAGREAISHT, shivering-,, T'EH FEER FEAYR, T'EH FEER FEAYR!"* (It's very cold, it's very cold!)

*These words '1 T'EH FEER FEAYR " exaaly represents the Plover's shrill and piteous whistle.