CHAP. 4. 1. OF PROGNOSTICKS. 137 



If Toads come from their holes in great 

 numbers; if Moles throw up the earth more 

 than usual; if Bats squeak or enter the houses; 

 if Asses shake their ears and bray much; if 

 Hogs shake and destroy the cornstalks ; if 

 Oxen lick their forefeet, or lie on their right 

 side; or if Mice contend together or squeak 

 much, according to many authors we may ex- 

 pect Rain. Sheep and other Cattle gamboling 

 or running about and appearing very uneasy 

 also portend the same. 



Sometimes previous to Rain, Sheep and Goats 

 seem more desirous to graze, and quit with 

 reluctance their pastures. 



Among other things the activity of Ants in 

 carrying about their eggs,* the voice of the 

 solitary Crow,f and the frequent immersion of 

 many Waterfowl^: have been considered as 

 indications of Rain. 



The garrulity of Crows, Ravens, Rooks, and 

 other birds of this sort, is indeed well known ; 

 " Corvus aquat" is a proverb cited by Erasmus. 



* Formieae concursantes aut ova progerentes. Plin. 



t Horat. Carm. lib. iii. Od. 17. 1. 13. Od. 27.1.9. 

 Claudian. xv. 493. Lucan. v. 555. 



|. Plin. lib. xviii. 35 Arat. Dios. 210. Homer. II. 8. 

 461 Varr. Frag. Catelect. 



