The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-24

are again refracted in the horizon. So.
100, as an indication of wet weather.
nothing is more certain than a halo
around the moon, because this phenome-
non is produced by precipitated water,
ana the larger the circle the nearer the
clouds are and consequently the more
immediate the rainfall
Some folks will laugh at Won for saw
ing that swallows flying high indicate
me weather. but when they skim around
close to the ground rain is certainly ap-
pfoaching Yet this is an easily explained
TACT. Swallows follow the flies and gnats,
which insects delight in warm strata of
AR. AS warm air is lighter and usually
moister than cold air, when the warm
strata of air are high there is less chance
or moisture being thrown down from
them with mixture of cold air; but when
the warm and moist air is close to the
surface 1t is almost certain that as the
cold air flows down into il a deposition
OF water will take place. II is an error
for those of you who frequent the seashore
TO imagine that sea gulls assemble on the
land at the approach of stormy and rainy
weather, because they are sensible of
a current of air coming from the
ocean, and consequently retire to the land
to shelter themselves from the storm. If
you think for a moment you will remem-
Der that the Storm IS their element, and
living to some extent on the smaller sea
insects they are sure to find their food
on the spray of the heavy waves. Yet
they unquestionably do seek the land
when a storm is coming and for this
action we must find some other reason
See if we cannot get at the cause. The
actions of birds and animals are largely
guided by their search for food In fine
weather the gulls can snatch the piSca-
toriai prizes from the bosom of the ocean,
but when storm arises, the fish swim
deeper and cannot be reached by their
feathered pursuers. On the other hand,
earth worms and larvae are driven out
of the ground by severe floods, and if you
watch closely you will find that the gulls
come to land in search of these There
you have the true reason. Where mag
pies abound it is considered unlucky in
the springtime for an angler to meet a
single bird, but to see a couple is regarded
as favorable fishing omen. This might
naturally be put down as a vulgar super
stition, but the reason is that in cold
and stormy weather one maybe alone
leaves the nest in search of food, the
other remaining sitting upon the eggs or
young ones; but when two go out to-
gether it is only when the weather is
warm, and mild, and favorable to pisca-
torial pursuits.
Some men, notably those who follow the
sea, have so watched the singular connec-
tons of causes and effects in a great va
riety of matters that indirectly apper-
tain to the weather that they nave
reached a wonderful degree of proficiency
as weather prophets. They have no
merely vulgar superstitons They are
simply careful students of nature. In an
ancient book, published over two CEN
turtles ago, called THE Shepherds Calen-
dar," there is a most interesting collection
of weather predictions which may be new
to most of you and is certainly most inter-
esting. From that book a compendium
of signs of rain, of wind and of fair
weather from birds, beasts, insects and
the sun has been made, which is worth
reading. 1t is as follows:
Signs of Rain from Birds-Sea and fresh
water fowls, such as cormorants. sea-
gulls, moor hens, etc, flying from sea or
the fresh waters to land, show bad wealth
er at hand; land fowls flying to waters,
and those shaking, washing and noisy
especially in the evening, denote the same;
geese, ducks, coots, etc, picking, shaking,
washing and noisy; rocks and crows in
docks and suddenly disappearing; pyes and
jays in focks and very noisy; the raven
or hooded crow crying in the morning.
with an interruption in it's notes, or crows
being very clamorous at evening; the her
on, bittern and swallow flying low; birds
lOISdkiIS lileiT lOOu ana nyluS TO their
nests; poultry going to rest, or pigeons
to their dove house; tame fowls grubbing
in the dust and clapping their wings; small
birds seeming to duck and wash in the
sand; the late and early growing of the
cock and clapping his wings; the early
singing of the wood larks; the early chirp-
ing of sparrows; the early note of the
chaffinch near houses, the dull appearance
of robin-redbreasts near houses; peacocks
,,,1 ~I- IIxr o1a
Signs of Wind from Birds-Sea and fresh
water fowls gathering in focks to the
banks and there sporting, especially in the
morning; wild geese flying high and in
f1ocks and directing their course eastward;
coots restless and clamorous; the king
fisher taking to land; rocks darting or
shooting in the air or sporting on the
banks of fresh waters, and, lastly, the
appearance of the malefige at sea is
certain forerunner of violent winds, and
(early in the morning. denotes horrible
tempests at hand.
Signs of Fair Weather from Birds-Hal-
cyons, sea ducks, etc. leaving the land
and hocking to the sea; kites, herons bit
terms and swallows flying high, and loud
in their notes; lapwings restless and clam
| orous; sparrows after sunrise restless and
noisy; ravens, hawks and kestrils lin the
| morning. loud in their notes; robiu-red-
| song; larks soaring high and loud in their
songs; owls hooting in an easy and clear
note; bats appearing early in the evening.
Signs of Rain from Beasts-Asses bray
ing more frequently than usual; hogs
playing, scattering their food or carrying
straw in their mouths; oxen snuffinS the
air and looking TO the south, while lying
on their right sides or licking their hoofs;
cattle grasping for air al noon; calves
running violently or gambling; deer, sheep
or goats leapng fighting or pushing; cats
washing their faces and ears; dogs eager
ly scraping up earth; foxes barking; rats
and mice more restless than usual;
grumbling noise in the belly of hounds.
Signs of Rain from Insects-Worms
crawling out of the earth in great abun-
dance; spiders falling from their webs;
flies duh and restless; ants Fastening 70
their ncsts; bees Fastening nome and
keeping close to their hives; frogs draw
ing nigh to houses and croaking from
bitches; gnats singing more than usual;
but if guats play in the open air, or if
hornets, wasps and glow-worms appear
eaa1a e