434 NATURAL HISTORY. 



that the wind cannot be perceived by the sense, until 

 there be an eruption of a great quantity from under 

 the water ; and so it getteth into a body : whereas in 

 the first putting up it cometh in little portions. 



822. We spake of the ashes that coals cast off; 

 and of grass and chaff carried by the wind ; so any 

 light thing that moveth when we find no wind, 

 sheweth a 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 wings, do 

 foreshew 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, 

 whithersoever 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 their feathers ; and 

 geese do gaggle ; and crows seem to call upon rain : 



