74 In Touch with Nature. 



taking a comprehensive glance at bird-life, it is 

 evident that, while they know, in a general way, 

 what the meteorological conditions are to be, they 

 have as yet failed to provide for the more pro- 

 nounced features of our weather. The truth is, 

 the one thought uppermost in their minds is that 

 of a food-supply, and concerning all else they trust 

 to luck, and, so trusting, are often victims of their 

 helplessness. If, so long ago as the close of the 

 glacial period, birds began to recognize the fore- 

 runnings of a storm, then evolution, which has not 

 yet failed the world, should have made them 

 weather-prophets by this time ; but it has not. 



A good barometer gives us abundant warning 

 of coming changes, but what the mercury recog- 

 nizes is beyond man's ken. Never does the world 

 look brighter than a few hours before some great 

 change. The familiar but senseless term " weather- 

 breeder," applied to an exceptionally clear day, is 

 evidence of this, and certainly animal life has little 

 thought for the future when the skies are without 

 a cloud. Never are birds more merry, mammals 

 more full of play ; yet the impending storm means 

 mischief that to some extent might be averted 



