Page:Groat's worth of wit for a penny.pdf/23

( 23 ) of ſnow or rain in winter, ſignifies a moiſt and wet ſpring to enſue; if in the beginning of a froſt, the wind be caſt, and it ſnows ſoftly, it is a ſign of cold weather, and that with continuance.

Obſervations from Birds and feathered Fowls

If kites or gleeds fly or walk together, it ſignifies fair weather to follow. The frequent flying or cackling of geeſe ſhews wind, flying into the water, ſwimming in it, their often picking their feathers, Muttering their wings in the duſt, either geeſe, hens, or cocks; the reſorting of poultry to their yooſts, being covered with duſt, the crowing of the cock at times unaccuſtomed, the crying of fowls about water fides, if crows bathe in the water, the crowing of ravens, or chirping of ſparrows in mornings, the high flying of birds, the ſwallow fly- ing cloſe by the water, and ſlapping in it with their wings, all theſe are ſigns of rain. In winter geeſe or poultry frequenting dwelling-houſes much, ſhews ſnow, if they flay not their wings in the water ; the ſcreeching of owls in foul weather, the crane flying ſtraight forward, all theſe are ſigns of fair weather. If in the beginning of winter ſmall birds flock to- gether in the fields, picking and ſeeking for much meat, it is a ſign of extreme cold weather of a long continuance; as alſo the approaching of foreign fowls which are but seldom ſeen ſhews a hard winter:

Obſervations from various Beasts.

If oxen lie long upon the left ſide, if ſheep and goats couple late in the evening, or go up to the tops of the mountains, if oxen lie long upon the right ſide, if they lick their hooves, or feed greedily, moving often from one place to another, or make a noiſe, their ſnuffing up the air with their heads againſt the wind, if rams but one againſt another, if ſheep or goats blate or ſkip wantonly, or draw