TY Richard Mellish for answering some of my questions.

In regard to number 2: Do you think that she is a mermaid in Child 42? Herd's copy is "Clerk Colvill and the Mermaid" and clearly she turns into a fish. Comparing Child A and B to foreign analogues seems like comparing apples to oranges. In which British ballad did this reference water-sprite come from?

Anyone?

Richie