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FW: Birds of 12 Days of Christmas



Forwarded from BirdChat:

The Birds of the Song "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Jeff and Amy Price (jprice@mho.net)


Traditionally, the twelve days of Christmas occurred between Christmas and

Epiphany, a period often observed with celebrations. While the song "The

Twelve Days of Christmas" is often listed as a traditional medieval English

carol, it may have its roots in France. Over the centuries the song has

undergone many changes and some of the words Americans now sing are

apparently anglicizations of the originals. Amy and my interpretation of the

meaning of this song is that it represents the preparation for a party being

held on the evening of Twelfth Night.


What does this have to do with birds? Well, the first seven ‘gifts' are all

birds. We thought it would be fun to discuss which birds might actually be

represented in the song - as well as provide some wild North American

species that could be used in the song instead.


On the first day of Christmas . . .


The partridge in the song most likely refers to the Gray Partridge (Perdix

perdix), a species native to Britain. If the song originated in France it

could also refer to the Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa), a species

introduced to England in 1790 (after the song was written). While the Gray

Partridge has been successfully introduced into parts of North America, a

better choice might be one of the members of the grouse family - perhaps the

Sharp-tailed or Ruffed Grouse.


The two turtle doves given the second day probably refer to European

Turtle-Doves (Streptopelia turtur), a species found in England and France

during the summer months. While the closely related Spotted and Ringed

Turtle-Doves can be found in parts of North America, our most widespread

equivalent would be the Eurasian Collared-Dove. This species was introduced

into the Bahamas in 1974 and has now spread throughout much of the

Southeast. There is one record of the European Turtle-Dove from the Florida

Keys.  Prefer a native species? The Mourning Dove could be substituted

instead.


We were unable to find any clues as to which type of chickens the three

French hens refer to. It has been hundreds of years since the Red Jungle

Fowl of India and Southeast Asia was first domesticated and became the

ancestor of all domestic chicken breeds. In this country a wild equivalent

would be the Greater or Lesser Prairie-Chicken.


Four colly birds. Many Americans have learned the words to the song as four

calling birds, an anglicization of four colly birds. Colly refers to soot or

coal black and a colly bird refers to the Blackbird (Turdus merula). The

Blackbird is actually a thrush, not a blackbird. As for their edibility,

remember the nursery rhyme with the words "four and twenty Blackbirds baked

in a pie." In North America the closest relative would be the American

Robin - a member of the genus Turdus, but not very black.


Five gulderers. Huh? Some experts think the phrase five golden rings is an

anglicization of the term gulderer. A gulderer typically refers to a turkey

or possibly a guinea fowl and goes better with the spirit of the song.

Turkeys were first carried to Europe from Mexico early in the 16th century;

first appearing in England in 1524. The Wild Turkey is widespread throughout

much of North America.


Six geese a-laying. Most domestic geese are descendants of the Greylag Goose

(Anser anser). While Greylag Geese can often be found in parks in North

America, a better wild alternative would be Greater White-fronted Goose. The

geese ‘a-laying' suggest that these birds weren't eaten but were given in

order to provide eggs for the party guests.


Seven swans a-swimming. The Mute Swan is widely used for ornamentation on

estates, such as those where a Twelfth Night party may have been held. Mute

Swans have been introduced and established in many parts of North America.

For a North American native equivalent choose the Trumpeter Swan(only found

in North America) or Tundra Swan (which is also found in England).


What about the rest of the song? Well the maids a-milking are providing

drinks for the party, the drummers drumming and pipers piping are the

musical entertainment, and the ladies dancing and lords a-leaping are the

party guests.


We hope you enjoyed our interpretation of the song "The Twelve Days of

Christmas". We realize this is just one interpretation of a song that is

thousands of years old.


Jeff and Amy Price

The above material is copyrighted.  It may be only be distributed

electronically in its entirety. It may not be published without permission

from the authors (ask, the answer is probably yes).


Jeff Price, Ph.D.               jprice@mho.net

Director of Climate Change Impact Studies

American Bird Conservancy

PMB 146

6525 Gunpark Drive, Suite 370

Boulder, CO 80301