WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 19 



weather is likely to be, they are more noticed than 

 other creatures ; and the robin particularly, from 

 his peculiarity of coming direct to man. Sheep 

 tell the shepherd by their movements all he requires 

 to know, and he prepares accordingly. " The hills 

 are drawing nigh," they say; "we shall have wet 

 before long : " and the rain does come, more or 

 less of it. 



The wryneck, or cuckoo's mate, or the rinding 

 bird, as he is called by the bark-strippers or " bark- 

 flayers," makes his pee-pee-peet heard in spring 

 when the oak sap rises, and the rind, or bark, is 

 taken off after felling. The golden-crested wren is 

 called the bee-bird, because it is the smallest bird 

 they are acquainted with. This is a very good 

 country name for the little creature. 



If a bird pecks at a window, or takes shelter in 

 any house, dire will be the consternation of the 

 inmates : words of comfort are useless ; if you are 

 wise, hold your tongue, and wait for daylight, or 

 you will have it proved to you conclusively that 

 you are no better than " a misbelieving heathen." 



There are two kinds of the so-called "witch- 

 knots " : one of these consists of only a bunch of 



