Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/275

 weather on a Sunday,—"sic a Friday sic a Sunday," is known as an item of weather-wisdom both in the north of England and in Scotland. When rooks return to their roosting places in groups, they are said to be "coming home," and rain is expected soon to follow. Horses, cows, and sheep always make for the hedges, and stand with their tails to the wind when rain is about to fall. If bats are seen during the day, warm weather is predicted; and invalids are assured of improvement by the adage—

Certain days and months have their distinctive characteristics expressed in appropriate rhymes, thus—

And further—

To those who are not acquainted with Lancashire provincialisms, it may be necessary to add that a "cock of hay" means a small heap, and represents that stage in hay-making which immediately precedes the larger heaps locally termed "rickles." "Flays" is obviously