When bees do not go out as usual, but keep in or about their hives, rain may be expected.
Before wind, swine run squeaking about as though they were mad; which has given rise to the notion that pigs can see the wind.
Before rain the pintados called comebacks squall more than usual; as do peacocks.
The early appearance of woodcocks, snipes, swinepipes, fieldfares, &c. are prognostications of severe winters.
When the dew lies plenteously upon the grass in the evening, the next day will probably be fine; when there is little or no dew, probably wet.
Dr. Forster observes, on the authority of Virgil, “that the blowing about of feathers, or any light substances on the water, is also a sign of rain.”
SPRING.
In the “Indicator” Mr. Leigh Hunt discourses of this beautiful season with his usual grace. He says—
“The spring is now complete. The winds have done their work. The shaken air, well tempered and equalized, has subsided; the genial rains, however thickly they may come, do not saturate the ground, beyond the power of the sun to dry it up again. There are clear crystal mornings; noons of blue sky and white cloud; nights, in which the growing moon seems to lie looking at the stars, like a young shepherdess at her flock.
“Then the young green. This is the most apt and perfect mark of the season,—the true issuing forth of the spring. The trees and bushes are putting forth their crisp fans; the lilac is loaded with bud; the meadows are thick with the bright young grass, running into sweeps of white and gold with the daisies and buttercups. The orchards announce their riches, in a shower of silver blossoms. The earth in fertile woods is spread with yellow and blue carpets of primroses, violets, and hyacinths, over which the birch-trees, like stooping nymphs, hang with their thickening hair. Lilies of the valley, stocks, columbines, lady-smocks, and the intensely red piony which seems to anticipate the full glow of summertime, all come out to wait upon the season, like fairies from their subterraneous palaces.”