PELICAN : In folklore the pelican was thought to feed its young by pecking open its breast as it loved the chicks so deeply that it fed then on its own blood. Yet a contradiction also exists in that the young eventually retaliate and the parents then kill the chicks. The mother though according to legend is driven by grief and proceeds to attack herself with the blood restoring life to the young. This theme of self-sacrifice is followed in the symbolism explored in heraldry where the pelican represents loyalty and genuine self-sacrifice. The pelican has long been associated with the death of Christ on the cross and can often be seen in the traditional stained glass composites for the same reasons suggested.

PETRELS : The storm petrel is a bird that is thought to have been named after 'St. Peter' who walked on the Sea of Galilee. The petrel feeds when the sea is rough having a flight pattern that allows them to skim over the waves as if walking on the water, hence the association. It was also once believed that the petrel brought bad weather with them perhaps as they were often spotted during stormy weather.

PIGEON : A domesticated bird. A lone white pigeon seen sitting on the chimney is not a good sign as it is associated with death. The same is true of a pigeon flying into a house or a wild pigeon becoming tame. Should one make its way into a house and settle on the kitchen table someone in the house it is believed will fall ill. To see a group of them sitting on a roof indicates that a storm is imminent. Beds made from pigeon feathers are thought to be linked with negative forces. Anyone dieing in such a bed should be removed from it immediately to avoid them having a painful and unhappy death, although a pillow made of pigeon feathers may prolong the life of someone who is dieing. It is reputed that it is better to die on the floor than in a bed made of pigeon feathers. (See Mystical WWW Feather Beds).

PLOVER : A bird generally associated with bad luck. According to an English (UK) tradition to see seven at once is an ill omen, as is not having any money in your pocket when hearing the first call in the spring as you will hit financial hardship in the following year.