CONCERNING WEATHER SIGNS, 15-18 



licks his fore-hoof; if he puts 1 his head up towards 

 the sky and snuffs the air, it is a sign of rain. 



It is a sign of rain when a crow puts back its head 

 on a rock which is washed by waves, or when it often 

 dives or hovers over the water. It is a sign of rain 

 if the raven, who is accustomed to make many 

 different sounds, repeats one of these twice quickly 

 and makes a whirring 2 sound and shakes his wings. 

 So too if, during a rainy season, 8 he utters many 

 different sounds, or if he searches for lice perched on 

 an olive-tree. And if, whether in fair or wet weather, 

 he imitates, as it were, with his voice falling drops, 

 it is a sign of rain. So too is it if ravens or jack- 

 daws fly high and scream 4 like hawks. And, if a 

 raven in fair weather does not utter his accustomed 

 note and makes a whirring with his wings, 5 it is a 

 sign of rain. 



It is a sign of rain if a hawk perches on a tree, flies 

 right into it and proceeds to search for lice : also, 

 when in summer a number of birds living on an 

 island pack together : if a moderate number collect, 

 it is a good sign for goats and flocks, while if the 

 number is exceedingly large, it portends a severe 

 drought. And in general it is a sign of rain when 

 cocks and hens search for lice ; as also when they 

 make a noise like that of falling rain. 



Again it is a sign of rain when a tame 6 duck gets 

 under the eaves and flaps its wings. Also it is a sign 

 of rain when jackdaws and fowls flap their wings 

 whether on a lake or on the sea like the duck. It 



4 UpaKifafftv. ? 'hover like hawks.' However, Arat. 231 

 understood it to refer to the voice : so LS. 



5 firippoi&Sri. Exact sense uncertain, cf. Soph. Ant. 1004. 



6 ri/j.pos. 1 



401 

 VOL. II. D D 



