5. A mare should be taken outside the stable to drop her foal.[1] The animal that was brought forth inside the stable would not cross a ford, or, if forced into it, would lie down in it. The quality of crossing a ford quietly was of much value in a horse at a time when there were few bridges. Hence comes the proverb about one who is too ready to desert his friends in the hour of need, "He's nae ta ride the water on."—(Pitsligo.)
6. All shepherds agree in saying that, before a storm comes, sheep become frisky, leap, and butt or "box" each other.
7. It was a not uncommon notion that chickens did not thrive to a woman during the year she had a child. Hence the saying, "Bairns an chuckens dinna thrive in ae yeer."—(Pitsligo.)
8. It is said that, if it thunders when chickens are within a short time of being hatched, they die in the egg.[2]
9. Among the poorer crofters and small farmers, when their meal fell short, as it sometimes did, and when they had not grain ready for grinding, it was quite common to borrow from a neighbour as much as would tide over the difficulty. The meal was willingly given, and most punctually returned, and not unfrequently with interest, in obedience to the pretty saying, "A borrow sud gang lauchin hame." Some there were, that, if they had just taken in meal—"gotten in a mailyar"—would not give any in loan till part of the newly-acquired meal had been used in the household.—(Pitsligo. Told by one whose mother followed the custom.)
10. Along the sea-board, in districts where sea-weed—"waar"—is used as manure, the farmers showed much anxiety on New-Year's morning to have the first load of weed that was taken from the shore. When the first load was carted home, a small quantity was laid down at each door of the farm-steading, and the remainder was cast into the fields—a portion into each field. This was supposed to bring good-fortune.—(Pitsligo. Told by one that followed the custom.)
11. On Christmas-eve all the dishes in the house must be left clean. Any food, therefore, that might have been left over at meals on the day before Christmas had to be carried forth, and given to the
