Popular Romances of the West of England: Romances of Fishermen and Sailors: How to Eat Pilchards

HOW TO EAT PILCHARDS. IT is unlucky to commence eating pilchards, or, indeed, any kind I of fish, from the head downwards. I have often heard persons rebuked for committing such a grievous sin, which is "sure to turn the heads of the fish away from the coasts." The legitimate process--mark this, all fish-eaters--is to eat the fish from the tail towards the head. This brings the fish to our shores, and secures good luck to the fishermen.