BUZZARD'S REST. 27 



the connection of the two facts is not such a one as is 

 usually given. It is an indirect, not direct, indication 

 of the prophesied rain-storm. But bearing heavily on 

 the subject is the unquestionable fact that an unusual 

 number of flies often suddenly make their appearance, 

 and torment cattle almost beyond endurance, during the 

 four or six weeks of drought which in summer, early or 

 late, we are so sure to have. In such cases the signs 

 fail. I have asked many a farmer how this could be, 

 and the one reply that I have received in every case is 

 that "there was a shower in the neighborhood." It 

 usually happened, however, that the neighborhood was 

 as parched as we were, and, seeing the signs fail with 

 them, they were covetous of the shower they supposed 

 that we had had. Perhaps it is with such indications of 

 changes in the weather as it has been said of autumnal 

 proofs of the character of the approaching winter. 

 Miles Overfield once remarked, " When the signs get to 

 failin' 'long in the fall, there'll be no tellin' about the 

 winter." 



Of pigs I have heard it said, very frequently, 



but that- 



"When swine carry sticks, 

 The clouds will play tricks;" 



" When they lie in the mud, 

 No fears of a flood." 



The first of these couplets is of twofold interest. I 

 have watched them for years, to see what purport this 

 carrying of sticks and bunches of grass might have, and 

 have only learned that it has nothing whatever to do 



