218 BIRDS IN LEGEND 



told Alexander Wilson 46 many facts of interest respect- 

 ing their habits, among others the following: 



They are sometimes seen high in the air, sailing and cutting 

 strange gambols, with loud vociferations, darting down several 

 hundred feet perpendicularly, frequently with part of a fish in 

 one claw, which they seem proud of, and to claim "high hook," as 

 the fishermen call him who takes the greatest number. On these 

 occasions they serve as a barometer to foretell the changes of 

 the atmosphere; for when the fish-hawks are thus sailing high 

 in air, in circles, it is universally believed to prognosticate a 

 change of weather, often a thunder-storm in a few hours. On 

 the faith of the certainty of these signs the experienced coaster 

 wisely prepares for the expected storm, and is rarely mistaken. 



It would be hard to find a better epitome of the "signs" 

 given by birds to the weather-prophet. Similar behavior 

 in sea-gulls is interpreted in the same way: but in most 

 cases high flight is said to denote continuance of fine 

 weather, and in general there is good sense in that view, 

 because, as a rule, bad weather descends upon us from 

 the higher strata of the atmosphere, and birds up there 

 would be the first to feel its approach. Hence the joyous 

 greeting, "Everything is lovely and the goose honks 

 (not 'hangs') high." Sailors have a rhyme — 



When men-of-war-hawks fly high, 't is a sign of clear sky; 

 When they fly low prepare for a blow. 



This point is made in particular in respect to swallows 

 of various kinds, which are regarded in most countries as 

 presaging rain when they all go skimming along close to 

 the ground; but it was pure fancy that expanded this 

 warning into the senseless couplet 



When the swallow buildeth low 

 You can safely reap and sow. 



