Magpies - One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

One for sorrow, two for joy. There they are again, on the fence, eyeing up the bird-feeders, the cheeky pair. They were going for it the other day, standing on the top of the frame from where they were able to peck at the fat-balls then stretching to the seed holders to steal from them. Stealing it is, because those feeders are for sparrows. By the time I’ve stood up from my chair, they’ve flown home to next door’s tree.

Over the weekend I was tidying the back garden and making space to plant some winter flowering pansies. For once it was quiet. Usually there’s someone nearby with a lawn-mower or strimmer, or noisy DIY going on and there’s always sirens. We are close to the hospital, the M55, the main police headquarters and a fire station. The sirens are really annoying but not as irritating as the sound of the magpies. The afternoon was pleasantly warm and the air was still. I wanted to do as much as I could before my knees and upper legs surrendered. Soon the magpies kicked off with loud, rattly chak chak chakking. It’s a horrible noise and I think they do it on purpose when they see me come outside. I did what I needed to do as quickly as I could. Next door’s tree is a well-established sycamore and I’m sure it is a housing estate for a massive conventicle of magpies or at least the overspill from the trees around nearby Lawson’s Field.

Magpies have an attractive plumage of black and white with a wide stripe of navy blue which is beautifully vibrant in sunlight. They are predators of bird’s eggs and nestlings which they will kill to feed their young. Nice looking but nasty creatures which also carry superstition. I don’t like to see just one on its own and have to mutter “Good day, Mr Magpie” and hope for another to show up. Apparently, in China they are thought to bring good luck.

In my early teens I used to enjoy ‘Magpie’, the TV show. I’ve read that it was a rival to Blue Peter. I don’t remember it being anything like Blue Peter. I found it entertaining and informative aimed at slightly older kids, which is probably what appealed to me. And it had the rhyme we all know for a signature tune. Join in.

One for sorrow
Two for joy,
Three for a girl
Four for a boy.
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret
Never to be told.
Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a bird
You must not miss.
Magpie.

Thanks for reading, Pam x

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La Plume De Ma Tante

The title is just about the sum total of my knowledge of French! Rather a useless phrase I think. However it refers to the 'quill ' of my aunt...an early use for feathers as writing implements. Recently I was in Don's house and in a room is a jar of large feathers from the wings of geese. Now his late wife did calligraphy and she used these quills, shaped, trimmed to give different effects to her writing.

So I started to think of the uses to which feathers have been put through the ages. Early quilts and pillows were filled with feathers from plucked fowl destined for the pot. Down clothing is making a bit of a come back for outdoor wear and thankfully birds are not necessarily killed, but down is collected from large scale 'farms'. In earlier times, down was collected from nesting eiders ( after they'd abandoned the nests), steamed to clean them and used to line boots, hats and other outer wear. When I lived up north I had a down filled coat that was gorgeously warm...too hot at times ....but it was difficult to clean, requiring specialist methods.

Birds use their plumage to great effect, to attract mates, specify their breed...and of course to delight us! Unfortunately when early travellers discovered exotic fowl like birds of paradise, they took back plumage. It didn't take long for fashion to catch onto the vibrant natural colours and wholesale slaughter began leading to the demise of these gentle and unafraid birds.

Not only were the feathers used in hats...but stuffed birds appeared on some creations! Such hats signified the standing of the lady within society. Nowadays we are more scandalized by the thought of destroying such lovely creatures. Well, we can watch programmes on TV showing us the plumage...on live birds. This provides an insight into the use that the birds put their plumage to.

My niece in Canada belongs to an indiginous  group (mi'kmaq nova scotia) and feathers play an important part in their dress, drums, headdress, accessories etc. She too believes that finding a tiny feather signifies that a passed loved one is close by.

Whilst hillwalking I often come across feathers, say from a 'kill' or just shed from a live bird. Generally I pick up a couple and tuck them in my pocket or camera case and months later I come across them and recall the walk.

Do take time and really look at feathers as the range of colours is absolutely amazing. I've had a really close look at pheasant's plumage and it is wonderful...words cannot express the wonder that I felt.

  I don't have any pieces specifically about feathers though I have,however,written many poems about birds. This week's contribution is about Lapwings and how they use their plumage to great affect whilst in flight.

                       Lapwings at Knott End

          Peewit-wit-wit. Peewit-wit-wit.
         Won't you come and join us in our dance ?
                         Flashing black, flashing white.
         Fan-like wings that ride the air.
                         Flashing black, flashing white.
         A courtship dance to match a pair.
                         Flashing black, flashing white.
         Join us as we dance in sunlight.
         Listen too if you might-
         Calling, calling till the night.
         See our ballet in the blue-
         Come, come we're calling you.
         Peewit-wit-wit. Peewit-wit-wit,
         Won't you come and join us in our dance ?
                           Flashing black, flashing white.


                 Thank you for reading , Kath....

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