148 DORSET WEATHER LORE. 



imminent and very stormy weather. This is more 

 than a mere superstition, and is easily verified. 

 (See also Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, 

 Vol. I., p. 182, where this action of the rooks is 

 spoken of as " playing breakneck.") 



(xii.) It is commonly noticed that immediately before a 

 thunderstorm birds will cease their singing and seek 

 shelter. 



(xiii.) If the green wood-pecker {picus viridis) — called 

 in Dorset the " yaffle " (from his joyous laugh of 

 " yaffala, yaffala, yaffala "), also the "wood-wall," 

 and sometimes the " rain bird " (see R. Bosworth 

 Smith's Bird Life and Bird Lore, p. 405 (1909)— 

 whilst flying from tree to tree or wood, frequently 

 utters its discordant, or, as some people would have 

 it, laughing cry, it is a sign of rain. 



(xiv.) Again, if a wren is heard to cry or sing much it is 

 said to be a sign of rain. 



(xv.) So, also, if geese fly, or flutter, down hill. 



(xvi.) Or if a cock crows upon his perch. Hence the 

 rhyme — 



" If a cock goes a-crowen to bed. 

 He'll ceartainly rise wi' a watery head." 



(xvii.) The same significance is attached whenever snails, 

 especially black ones, are seen crawling about to any 

 extent. Thus an old saying : 



" When black snails cross your path, 

 Black clouds much moisture hath." 



Portents of fine weather : — 



I am afraid that I have not been able to gather together 

 so many portents or predictions of fine weather as I have of 

 those foreboding the reverse. 



(i.) If cattle during wet and miserable weather are 

 seen feeding at the top of a hill, it is considered a 

 sign that the weather will soon clear up. This I 

 have not infrequently verified myself. 



