The Traditional Children's Games of England Scotland
& Ireland In Dictionary Form - Volume 1

With Tunes(sheet music), Singing-rhymes(lyrics), Methods Of Playing with diagrams and illustrations.

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	BIRD-APPRENTICE—BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES 33 Leicester (Miss Ellis). Miss Peacock says, "A version is known in Lincolnshire." Tunes have also been sent from Tean, North Staffs. (Miss Keary), and Epworth, Doncaster (Mr. C. C. Bell), which are nearly identical with the Leicester tune; from Market Drayton (Miss Burne), similar to the Derbyshire tune; from Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy), which appears to be only the latter part of the tune, and is similar to those given above. The tune given by Rimbault is not the same as those collected above, though there is a certain similarity. The editor of Northamptonshire Notes and Queries, vol. i. p. 214, says, " Some readers will remember that Byngo is the name of the ' Franklyn's dogge ■ that Ingoldsby introduces into a few lines described as a portion of a primitive ballad, which has escaped the researches of Ritson and Ellis, but is yet replete with beauties of no common order." In the Nursery Songs collected by Ed. Rimbault from oral tradition is "Little Bingo." The words of this are very similar to the Lanca­shire version of the game sent by Miss Dendy. There is an additional verse in the nursery song. Bird-apprentice A row of boys or girls stands parallel with another row opposite. Each of the first row chooses the name of some bird, and a member of the other row then calls out all the names of birds he can think of. If the middle member of the first row has chosen either of them, he calls out "Yes," and all the guessers immediately run to take the place of the first row, the members of which attempt to catch them. If any succeed, they have the privilege of riding in on their captives' backs.—Ogbourne, Wilts (H. S. May). Birds, Beasts, and Fishes This is a slate game, and two or more children play. One writes the initial and final letters of a bird's, beast's, or fish's VOL. I.                                                                                     C