_Dogs_, before rain, grow sleepy and dull, lie drowsily before the fire, and are not easily aroused. They also often eat grass, which indicates that their stomachs, like ours, are apt to be disturbed before change of weather. It is also said to be a sign of change of weather when Dogs howl and bark much in the night. Dogs also dig in the earth with their feet before rain, and often make deep holes in the ground. _Ducks._--The loud and clamorous quacking of Ducks, Geese, and other water-fowl, is a sign of rain; as also when they wash themselves, and flutter about in the water more than usual. Virgil has well described all these habits of aquatic birds. _Fieldfares_, when they arrive early, and in great numbers, in autumn, foreshow a hard winter, which has probably set in in the regions from which they have come. _Fishes_, when they bite more readily, and gambol near the surface of streams or pools, foreshow rain. _Flies_, and various sorts of insects, become more troublesome, and sting and bite more than usual, before, as well as in the intervals of rainy weather, particularly in autumn. _Frogs_, by their clamorous croaking, indicate rainy weather, as does likewise their coming about in great numbers in the evening; but this last sign applies more obviously to toads. _Geese_ washing, or taking wing with a clamorous noise, and flying to the water, portend rain. _Gnats_ afford several indications. When they fly in a vortex in the beams of the setting sun they forebode fair weather; when they frisk about more widely in the open air at eventide they foreshow heat; and when they assemble under trees, and bite more than usual, they indicate rain. _Hogs_, when they shake the stalks of corn, and spoil them, often indicate rain. When they run squeaking about, and jerk up their heads, windy weather is about to commence; hence the Wiltshire proverb, that "Pigs can see the wind." _Horses_ foretel the coming of rain by starting more than ordinarily, and by restlessness on the road. _Jackdaws_ are unusually clamorous before rain, as are also _Starlings_. Sometimes before change of weather the daws make a great noise in the chamber wherein they build. _Kine_ (cattle) are said to foreshow rain when they lick their fore-feet, or lie on their right side. Some say oxen licking themselves against the hair is a sign of wet. _Kites_, when they soar very high in the air, denote fair weather, as do also _Larks_. _Magpies_, in windy weather, often fly in small flocks of three or four together, uttering a strong harsh cry. _Mice_ when they squeak much, and gambol in the house, foretel a change of weather, and often rain.