ANIMAL WEATHER-LORE. 639 



forget the remark they have made ; but, if the day does prove show- 

 ery, my non-combative neighbors take much delight in repeating over 

 and over again, " I told thee so," with a suggestive emphasis, showing 

 how much, like other jjeople, they love to gain a victory, if open war- 

 fare can be avoided. 



The only weather-rhyme referring to a cat that I have heard, and 

 which is essentially the same as that about dogs, runs thus : 



" When Tabby claws the table-legs, 

 She for a summer shower begs." 



That is, begs it will hurry ; with no doubt in her mind of its possibly 

 disappointing her. 



The weather-lore of the commoner wild animals is of much more 

 general interest. Weather-sayings referring to animals do not appear 

 to have been so numerous as are those referring to birds. I have 

 been able to learn of but three examples. In reference to minks and 

 weasels, I have heard it said — and possibly others may be familiar 

 with this mystic rhyme — 



*' When storm-winds blow and night is black, 

 The farmer may a pullet lack ; 

 But, if the moon is shining clear, 

 No mink or weasel dares come near." 



This involves an interesting phase of the life-history of these animals ; 

 for while they probably can see a little when it is quite dark, and are 

 safely guided by the sense of smell, nevertheless, the experience of 

 trappers about home proves that they do wander about during moon- 

 light nights. Indeed, on careful inquiry, it seems that the trapper 

 generally anticipates better success during the moonlit nights than 

 when it is very dark. I strongly suspect that the truth lies in the fact 

 that, when it is dark and stormy, the watchful house-dog is not on the 

 alert, and thus the cunning weasel or mink is free to raid upon the 

 poultry-house and feast upon the pullet that it seizes. How my neigh- 

 bors will take to this explanation I can only surmise. Like other peo- 

 ple, they fight vigorously for the opinions they have cherished through 

 life. The musk-rat and gray squirrels have given rise to many trite 

 sayings, and have long been looked upon as weather-prophets, but 

 that they are nothing of the sort I have elsewhere * endeavored to 

 show. 



The following may or may not be a local saying : 



" When flying-squirrels run on ground, 

 The clouds'U pass you by, be bound." 



What this may mean has been a question with me for a long time. 

 It is a common remark, either in this or a simpler form, and many, 

 who have little faith in pigs or dogs as weather-prophets, build largely 



* " Eambles about Home," p. 73, D. Appleton & Co., New York, 1884. 



