LIII. WHY DO THE PLOVER FLY SINGLY?
Moses Gaster translation
The Story of the Plover and Lady Mary.
In the beginning the plover used to fly in large coveys. But one day, when Our Lady was riding on a horse, they ran across the road and frightened the horse so much that it threw the rider. Angry at the mishap, St. Mary cursed the plover that they should no longer gather in coveys but should go singly. And so it has remained to this very day. The plover nest quite alone and never join others in their flight.