While I was ill in bed this nasty came to me.

Add yours to the Two word poems collection.
Atavistic loosely means a reverting to a former primitive type, ancestral.

To Edward

necessary adjustments

So nice that this happens on our own land. Not a huge one, as can be seen in some places , numbering about 50 birds, but still a thrill to see.
I believe this behaviour has evolved to make it harder for predators such as sparrowhawks to target the birds.
Some spectacular shots can be seen on youtube, type in 'starling murmuration'.

This song's author is unknown, but it was written around the time of the Jacobite rebellions.  I love the archaic language and sing it to myself when nobody can hear. It has been recorded a few times, notably by Steeleye Span (it's on youtube).
Now the history lesson. In 1688 James II, a Catholic, was exiled to France and his Protestant daughters took the throne, first Mary, then Anne. When Anne died without heir, the throne passed to the house of Hanover.  George I became king, even though he was German and spoke no English. But he was, crucially, Protestant.  
The son of the exiled James II made a claim to the throne but he being a Catholic, was not accepted. His son also tried, Bonny Prince Charlie. These were the Jacobite rebellions.
Come ye o'er frae France is a song in support of the Jacobite movement,  and very much mocking George I.   My rough explanation of the archaic language is as follows.

Have you just arrived from France?
Did you come via London?
Did you see young Georgie and his pretty woman?
Were you at the place they call the ***** house
Did you see George his grace, ******* a ******?

Georgie, he's a man, there's no doubt about that
He has anyone he can, and who wouldn't?
Along came a dish, swanking like a dandy
And he did a deal
To share poor Georgie's candy

Although we got a bad deal, still we blithely haggled
If we get the dregs it makes little difference
We have dyed our cloth, bonnet belt and sword,
Our homes and lands are lost, but we have our George!

The **** (James) has gone to France with Montgomery's lady
There they'll hatch a plot, and when they're good and ready
They'll be back here soon, kitted up and raring to go
And may they succeed in their set-to with Georgie!

Come on Sandy Don, come on Cockolorum   [Jacobite supporters]
Come on Bobbing John and his Highland Possie
Many a sword and lance swings a Highland warrior
How they'll skip and dance over the *** of Georgie!

A panda said to his mate
Should we procreate?
She said relax my dear
Perhaps next year
You'll only get into a state

The Wirral peninsular is in NW England and one of our best loved poets lives there  :)

A splendid old man from Argyle
Spoke of his ghosts with a smile
'They're like you and me
So I just leave them be
You get used to them after a while'

This little poem has nowhere to go
But I want it to rhyme
And I want it to flow
It doesn't say much
Just a small hello
And a Happy Christmas
Afore ye go

Sunday Times war correspondent Marie Colvin, an American, was recently killed in Homs, Syria.

Other ancient native languages still spoken in the British Isles include Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic and even Cornish, which I have seen here on hp once.  But Welsh is by far the biggest and most thriving I would say.

The Eurovision Song Contest is always good for a laugh.
For those who are unfamiliar with it, all the different countries in Europe enter a new song, and we all vote for our favourite at the end. Many are awful, some comically so, and occasionally they are good.
Abba first came to international fame with their entry 'Waterloo' many moons ago.

thanks to Craig Parsons for the inspiration

for Burns night

Another adaptation of an old country joke, again inspired by Raj.

The president of Uraguay to be specific.
A former revolutionary and long term political prisoner,
he gives away 90%  of his salary.  Google him!

Rob has gone to the British Antarctic Survey base as a mechanic for 15 months. He reports that a white Christmas is looking likely.

If I raise a smile
It's all been well worthwhile

Once widespread, the cuckoo is now a rare bird in my area.

(Landie is Land Rover, like Jeep just in case you didn't know.) This was my tribute to my step daughter and her man on their wedding day.

Limericks are usually light-hearted, this one not so much.
The tradition of going to war playing morale-boosting bagpipes was forbidden in the British army during the 1914-18 war as it tended to attract enemy fire. On June 6th 1944 however, Bill Millin was ordered to play the pipes on Sword beach as the D-day landings were in full swing.
He escaped injury because the German gunners, deciding he was completely bonkers, did not fire on him.  He died aged 88 a couple of years ago.