CHAP. 4. 1. OF PROGNOSTICKS. 133 



the surface of the earth and waters, frequently 

 dipping the tips of her wings into the latter.* 



When Bees do not range abroad as" .usual, 

 but keep in or near to their hives,f or when 

 Ducks, Geese, and other Waterfowl, are un- 

 usually clamorous, we may also expect wet. 



Before Rain, Swine, as well as Poultry, 

 appear very uneasy, and rub in the dust. 



Before and during Rain, Ducks, Geese, and 

 other Fowls wash and dive in the waters more 



* Among the signs of Rain, Pliny enumerates Hirundo 

 tarn juxla aquam volitans ut penna saepe percutiat. See also 

 Obser. Brum. Retr. Swal. 3d. Edit. London, 1813. Swal- 

 lows have always been considered as weather guides. They 

 arrive somewhat earlier at Rome than at Paris or London. 

 See the Notes to that immense Body of Meteorological 

 Observations, collected by the Met. Soc. of the Elector of 

 Palatine, in 6 vols. 4to. 



t " Nee vero a stabulis, pluvia impendente recedunt 

 Longius, aut credunt coelo adventantibus Euris 

 Sed circum tutae sub moenibus urbis aquantur, 

 Excursusque breves tentant." 



Virg. Georg. lib. iv. 194. 

 V H Xi ( uv5jy Tfsfi >)9a ^\iScivs$ aifffuttri. 

 Taarfpi rvTflovo'ai ad-fug eihupivov vScog . 



Arat. Dios, 



Theophrastus observes as a sign of Rain ^eXlSovs; ?i\ yarpi 

 oV7our* fsc; AfjW-vaj. Linnaeus also notices this prognostick, 

 speaking of Hirundo rustica. 



