Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-06-29
BIRDS as WEATHER PRopHErs.

BIRDS as WEATHER Prophets.
How Gulls, Swans and Wo0dpeckers
ForeIeIl Weather ChaRgeaA
8 In Hampr HampshhiirrsssSa pshirs sSan6 are believed to be
hatched in thunderstorms, and it is said that
those on the Thames have an instructive
pre-science of floods. Before heavy rains
they raise their nests. This is a character
istic of many birds which add piles Of
material to their nests to prevent swamp-
ing. When rocks fly high and seem to
initiate birds of prey by soaring, swooping
and falling, it is almost a certain sign of
coming storm. Staying in the vicinity Of
the rookery, returning at midday, or coming
to roost in groups, are also said to be
omens to the like effect Various proverbs
would seem to indicate that the cry of the
owl, if heard in bad weather, foretells q
change.
The constant iteration of the green wood
pecker's cry before storm has given 1t the
names of rain bird, rain pie and rain fowl.
Stormcock is a provincial name shared by
this bird and the missel-thrush, the latter
often singing through gales of wind and
rain. Storm bird also is applied to the
feldfare. The adherence in which mariners
hold the swallow-like storm petrol is well
known its appearance is believed to denote
wild weather. This little bird is the Mother
Carey's chicken of sailors, and is also called
storm finch and water witch. derons, says an
old author, flying up and down in the even-
ing, as if doubtful where to rest, "presage
some evil approaching weather-a legend as
old as Virgil, though probably devoid of feun-
dation."
Concerning gulls in general, children who
live by the sea say 'Seagull, seagull, sit on
txI. Il - L.. II,
you're on the land";; and fisher folk know
that when the seamews ny out early and far
to seaward fair weather may be expected.
To Scotch shepherds the drumming of the
snipe indicates dry weather and frost at
night, and Gilbert White remarks that
woodcocks have been observed to be re-
markably listless against snowy, foul wealth.
er; while, according to another author,
their early arrival and continued abode
h"foretels liberal harvest" In Wiltshire
the coming OF the dotterel betokens frost
and snow, and there is a proverb that the
booming of the bittern will be followed
by rain or worse. In Morayshire, when the
wild geese 60 out to sea, they say the
weather will be fine; but if toward the hill,
stormy.
The saw-like note of the great titmouae is
said to foretell rain; that of the blue-tit
cold. In the South OF France 80 much store
is set by the wisdom of the magpie that if
it builds its nest on the summit of tree the
country folk expect a season of calm; but it
lower down, winds and tempest are sure to
follow When jackdaw is seen to stand on
one of the vanes of the cathedral tower at
Wells, it is said that rain is sure to follow
within twenty-four hours. Wells must be a
wet placei In Germany, dwelfers in the
country lack faith in the skylark's song as
announcing fine weather; but when the lark
and the cuckoo sing together they know that
summer has come. The robin, buzzard, lap-
wing. startling, and number of other birds
are said to foretell weather changes; we
have noticed that in nearly all the species
named the various cries and calls are closely
connected with the birds food supply.