CENTURY IX. 71 



wind at hand ; as when feathers, or down of thistles, 

 fly to and fro in the air. 



For prognostics of weather from living- creatures, 

 it is to be noted that creatures that live in the open 

 air (sub dio] must needs have a quicker impression 

 from the air, than men that live most within doors ; 

 and especially birds who live in the air freest and 

 clearest ; and are aptest by their voice to tell tales 

 what they find, and likewise by the motion of their 

 flight to express the same. 



823. Water-fowls, (as sea-gulls, moor-hens, &c.) 

 when they flock and fly together from the sea towards 

 the shores ; and contrariwise, land-birds, (as crows, 

 swallows, &c.) when they fly from the land to the 

 waters, and beat the waters with their wino-s : do fore- 



c?&amp;gt; &quot; 



shew rain and wind. The cause is, pleasure that both 

 kinds take in the moistness and density of the air ; and 

 so desire to be in motion and upon the wing, whither 

 soever they would otherwise go ; for it is no marvel, 

 that water-fowl do joy most in that air which is likest 

 water ; and land-birds also, many of them, delight in 

 bathing, and moist air. For the same reason also, 

 many birds do prune l their feathers ; and geese do 

 gaggle ; and crows seem to call upon rain : all which 

 is but the comfort they seem to receive in the relenting 

 of the air. 



824. The heron, when she soareth high, (so as 

 sometimes she is seen to pass over a cloud,) sheweth 

 winds : but kites flying aloft shew fair and dry weath 

 er. The cause may be, for that they both mount most 



1 Proine in the original. J. S. 



