A severe winter is indicated by the early appearance of woodcock. Fair weather is at hand when many quails are heard in the evening. When rooks fly high, storm winds are following. When thrushes sing at sunset fair weather will follow. When three or four magpies fly together and utter harsh cries very windy weather may be expected.
Pigeons always wash much before rain, and return home slowly.
Larks flying high and singing long predict fine, warm weather. Swallows and water-wagtails skimming the roadways predict rain. When these birds keep high in the air warm weather may be expected. When seagulls remain on the shore fine weather is coming, but if they fly inland storms may be expected. This applies to all kinds of sea-birds, If wild geese leave the marshes for the sea, it is a token of very fair weather.