FOUL WEATHER. 153 



A. Because the insects (of which 

 they are in pursuit) have fled from the 

 cold upper regions of the air, to the 

 warm air near the earth : and as their 

 food is low, the swallows^?/ low. 



Q. Why do these INSECTS seek the lower 

 regions of the air in WET weather, more than in 

 FINE weather? 



A. Because they are forced down- 

 ward, by some current of cold air which 

 drives them down. 



Q. Wliy does a DOWNWARD current of COLD 

 AIR bring RAIN ? 



A. Because it condenses the warm 

 vapour ; which then descends in rain. 



Q. The proverb says, " A SINGLE MAGPIE in 

 spring, FOUL WEATHER will bring :" why is this 

 the case ? 



A. In cold stormy weather, one 

 magpie alone will leave its warm snug 

 nest in search of food, while the other 

 stays with the eggs or young ones ; but 

 in fine mild weather (when their brood 

 will not be injured by cold) both the 

 magpies willfiy out together. 



Q. WJiy is it UNLUCKY for ANGLERS to see a 

 SINGLE MAGPIE in spring ? 



