A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

FINDINGS keepings
See also the preceding proverb. Cf. PLAUTUS Trinummus 1.63 habeas ut nanctu’s, he may keep that finds. The principle was current in England before the present formulation; 1595 A. COOKE Country Errors in Harley MS 5247 108^V That a man finds is his own, and he may keep it.

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  1863 J. H. SPEKE Discovery of Source of Nile v. The scoundrels said, ‘Findings are keepings, by the laws of our country; and as we found your cows, so we will keep them.’ 1904 Daily Chronicle 27 Sept. 1 Harsh sentences of imprisonment for ‘findings- keepings’ offences. 1963 G. GREENE Sense of Reality 38 ‘I found them in the passage.’.. ‘Finding’s [i.e. the action or fact of finding, rather than the objects found, as in earlier examples] not keeping here,’ he said, ‘whatever it may be up there. “gains and losses
  

FINE feathers make fine birds
Beautiful clothes confer beauty or status on the wearer. Cf. early 16th-cent. Fr. les belles plumes font les beaux oiseaux. Identified as a Basque saying by 1583 J. SPONDANUS in tr. Odyssey VI. 81 apud meos Vascones.. hac paramia.. : speciosae plumae avem speciosam constituunt, this is a proverb amongst my fellow Basques: beautiful feathers make a beautiful bird.

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  1592 G. DELAMOTHE French Alphabet II. 29 The faire feathers, makes a faire foule. 1658 E. PHILLIPS Mysteries of Love & Eloquence 162 Fine feathers make fine birds. As you may see in Hide Park. 1858 SURTEES Ask Mamma X. Mrs. Joe.. essayed to pick her to pieces, intimating that she was much indebted to her dress—that fine feathers made fine birds. 1968 I. PETITE Life on Tiger Mountain xiv. I feel,.. if, indeed, ‘fine feathers make a fine bird,’ then I would just as soon not be that peculiar kind of fine bird. ■appearance, significant; dress