CHAPTER XXXIII ANIMAL TRAITS 



most weather-wise shepherd can do so, by betaking them- 

 selves to the dry heights, where they sit or walk about with 

 erect heads and necks, in quite a different manner to their 

 usual gait. So do the mountain sheep change their feeding- 

 ground to the lee side of the hills before severe blasts of 

 wind and rain. I have often been warned of an approaching 

 change in the weather by the proceedings of the wild fowl 

 in the bay ; and before changes of wind these birds betake 

 themselves to those places which will afford them the best 

 shelter during the coming storm. 



There are few animals which do not afford timely and 

 sure prognostications of changes in the weather. It is pro- 

 verbial that pigs see the wind; and they undoubtedly be- 

 come restless, and prepare their straw beds prior to a sev- 

 ere storm, some hours before human organs are aware of 

 its approach. 



In fine, there is matter not only for amusement but for 

 admiration in the actions and habits of every animal that 

 we see, even down to the most common small birds and 

 quadrupeds: and the unoccupied man may always find 

 wherewithal to amuse himself profitably in watching the 

 instinct which prompts the everyday proceeding of the 

 animals which are always around us. 



