260 OF METEOROLOGICAL CHAP. 10. 



in his book of Divination, and afterwards by 

 Bulengius, in his book on Augury. 



The Picus was also another of the oscines, 

 whose voice was feigned injurious to travellers.* 

 This fable might have been founded on ob- 

 serving the garrulity of the bird before Rain ; 

 which might become an impediment to a 

 journey. Linnaeus represents this bird to have 

 been the Woodpecker, or Pickatree ; but it is 

 difficult to identify the names and species of 

 birds spoken of by the ancients.f The Parra 

 was another bird with whose ill portending 

 song Horace cursed the impious4 



It was long ago observed, as mentioned in 

 another chapter, that the frequent immersion 

 of certain fowls in the water portended Rain ; 

 and they were, consequently, considered un- 

 lucky alites ; while others, who never dived, 



Corvus Coronae. I refer tfye reader to Aelian, Aristotle, 

 Pliny, Gesner, and Aldravandus. 



* Teque nee laevus vetet ire picus 



Nee vaga cornix. Horat. 



t Picus may be only masculine of pica the Magpie, a bird 

 which, in windy and stormy weather, I have observed to be 

 garrulous, and to fly high in small flocks, uttering its cry. 

 | Impios parrae recinentis omen 

 Ducat Hor. Od. 



