CENTURV IX. 435 



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 

 weather. The cause may be, for that they both 

 mount most into the air of that temper wherein they 

 delight : and the heron being a water-fowl, taketh 

 pleasure in the air that is condensed ; and besides, 

 being but heavy of wing, needeth the help of the 

 grosser air. But the kite affecteth not so much the 

 grossness of the air, as the cold and freshness thereof: 

 for being a bird of prey, and therefore hot, she de- 

 lighteth in the fresh air, and many times, flieth 

 against the wind, as trouts and salmons swim against 

 the stream. And yet it is true also, that all birds 

 find an ease in the depth of the air, as swimmers do 

 in a deep water. And therefore when they are 

 aloft, they can uphold themselves with their wings 

 spread, scarce moving them. 



825. Fishes, when they play towards the top of 

 the water, do commonly foretel rain. The cause is, 

 for that a fish hating the dry, will not approach the 

 air till it groweth moist ; and when it is dry, will fly 

 it, and swim lower. 



826. Beasts do take comfort generally in a moist 

 air : and it maketh them eat their meat better ; and 

 therefore sheep will get up betimes in the morning 

 to feed against rain : and cattle, and deer, and 

 conies, will feed hard before rain ; and a heifer will 

 put up her nose, and snuff in the air against raizi. 



