It is said that a wolf or a specter, okuri-inu (dog that sends off) appears after the chirping sound, and once the person stumbles, he or she will be immediately attacked by such animal or monster, thus those who heard the chirping of okurisuzume used to walk watching their steps not to fall.
この鳴き声の後にはオオカミもしくは妖怪・送り犬が現れるといい、道で転倒するとすぐにそれらに襲撃されてしまうため、送り雀の鳴き声を聞いた者は、転ばないよう足元に注意を払いつつ歩いたという。