Four colley birds

Not calling birds. Colley birds. As in colliery, as in "black as coal." As in Sing a Song of Sixpence.Looking ahead, seven of the twelve gifts described in The Twelve Days of Christmas are birds, all of which were eaten when one could get them. Partridge, turtledoves, hens, blackbirds, ring-necked pheasants, geese, and swans. The eighth day gives us busy milkmaids and milk. And perhaps a Double Gloucester cheese...A week's worth of food, and it must follow as the day the night: a band, and dancing. All to come!