



DERIVED FROM BIRDS AND FLOWERS. 249 



expect a sunny day, too, when the pimpernel (ana- 

 gallis arvensis) fully expands its blossoms ; a du- 

 bious, or a moist one when they are closed. In 

 this belief, however,, we have the sanction of 

 some antiquity to support us; Sir F. Bacon re- 

 cords it ; Gerarde notes it as a common opinion 

 entertained by country people above two centuries 

 ago ; and I must not withhold my own faith in 

 its veracity, but say that I believe this pretty little 

 flower to afford more certain indication of dryness 

 or moisture in the air, than any of our hygrometers 

 do. But if these be fallible criterions, we will 

 notice another, that seldom deceives us. The ap- 

 proach of a sleety snow-storm, following a deceitful 

 gleam in spring, is always announced to us by the 

 loud untuneful voice of the missel-thrush (turdus 

 viscivorus), as it takes its stand on some tall tree, 

 like an enchanter calling up the gale. It seems to 

 have no song, no voice, but this harsh predictive 

 note ; and it in great measure ceases with the storms 

 of spring. We hear it occasionally in autumn, 

 but its voice is not then prognostic of any change 

 of weather. The missel-thrush is a wild and wary 

 bird, keeping generally in open fields and commons, 

 heaths, and unfrequented places, feeding upon 

 worms and insects. In severe weather it approaches 

 our plantations and shrubberies, to feed on the 

 berry of the misseltoe, the ivy, or the scarlet fruit 

 of the holly or the yew ; and should the redwing 

 or the fieldfare presume to partake of these with it, 

 we are sure to hear its voice in clattering and con- 



