THE PEEWIT. 



thick opake substance like that of the hen ; a cir- 

 cumstance that is likewise observable in the eggs of 

 the rook, and of many of our small birds. The 

 latter are not sufferers by it ; but the eggs of the 

 poor rook, though bearing little resemblance to 

 those of this plover, are in some places not uncom- 

 monly taken and sold conjointly with them in the 

 London market ; and probably the habitual eater 

 of them only can distinguish a sensible difference. 



Prognostications and signs, a great amusement, 

 and the groundwork of belief to our forefathers, 

 have, in general, pretty much declined with us ; the 

 repeated falsity of most of them having destroyed 

 their reputation. We know so little, if any thing, 

 of the actuating causes of seasons and their change, 

 or the combinations effecting results, that no safe 

 conclusion can be formed of any present events 

 influencing the future. Whatever our almanacs 

 may do, few persons of credit will venture now to 

 predict, from what we call natural causes, a hot 

 summer, or a severe winter ; yet that very ancient 

 idea, " amongst country people, that years of storb 

 of haws and heps do commonly portend cold win- 

 ters," still lingers with us. However warmly we 

 assent to the fundamental truth, the merciful con- 

 sideration of Providence, in providing food for the 

 necessities of the little fowls of the air, which, per- 

 haps, piously gave rise to the observation, almost 

 every year proves^ that any conclusions drawn from 



