BUZZARD'S REST. 23 



And here let me say something concerning the ani- 

 mal weather-lore current in this neighborhood. 



Happily there still remain a few of those great, cav- 

 ernous, open fireplaces, flanked by high-backed settles, 

 whereon the young people love to lounge while their 

 elders, resting from the day's labors, talk drowsily of old 

 times, recount the adventures of their youth, and repeat 

 the tales of their grandfathers. As one of such young 

 people, I have passed many long winter evenings, listen- 

 ing eagerly to what the septuagenarians might relate, 

 and occasionally venturing a question or two, that more 

 light might be thrown upon obscure portions of remarks 

 made at the time. Then, particularly, are we likely to 

 hear much of that very curious animal weather-lore that 

 for the past two centuries has been handed down from 

 father to son. Time and again, as the weather chanced 

 to be discussed, I have heard some uncouth rhyme re- 

 peated, usually prefaced with the remark, " You know 

 the old saying." 



That all animals are more or less affected by coming 

 atmospheric changes is unquestionable. This simple 

 fact has been recognized the world over, but, unlike 

 many other simple facts, has not resulted in leading to 

 any important discoveries. It has, however, given rise 

 to the innumerable sayings to which I have referred. 



Inasmuch as the animal weather-lore current in Eng- 

 land and Sweden dates far prior to the settlement of 

 this country by the Swedes and English, it would seem 

 probable that such sayings as now are or recently were 

 current in south and central New Jersey are merely 

 adaptations of English and Swedish weather-lore to our 



