Cats are credited with washing right over their ears when rain is approaching. Cats also become restless and wander aimlessly about the house when a thunderstorm is brewing.

The braying of a donkey is said to be a sign of coming rain.

Before winter sets in, moles prepare a sort of basin in which they deposit a quantity of earthworms. When these basins are fewer in number than usual the mole-catchers state that the winter is sure to be mild.

The field-mouse has been noticed carefully to cover up its hold prior to the setting in of cold and snow.

Sheep in mountainous districts will change their feeding ground to the lee side of the hills before the arrival of severe gales and rain.

Bees are very sensitive to atmospheric changes. When they return to the hive, and do not come out again for a time, rain is indicated. Working bees, when collecting honey, are said to be so afraid of bad weather that if a cloud obscures the sun they will hurry home.

If domestic geese are seen to fly without any palpable reason, rain is to be expected.

If ducks are noticed going out on to the grass fields in the daytime in search of snails, a shower may usually be looked for.

When it is likely to be wet, garden-spiders spin only short threads.

When the shrill voice of the peacock is heard, a change of weather is probable.

If the swallow flies high it is a sign of fine weather, but when it is near the ground rain is to be expected.

The movements of rooks are much watched by some agriculturalists as an index to the coming weather. If the rooks are seen settling noisily upon trees and flying hither and thither instead of going straight away, a wet day is probable. If they are flying low in the winter, going and returning silently, early and late, before sunrise and after sunset, a sharp frost may be looked for.

Fish are extremely sensitive to the weather, as the angler well knows, many species declining to feed when a change is in progress.