Nor, indeed, is it surprising that the aquatic birds, or any birds, in fact, should have a perception of the impending changes of the atmosphere. Sheep, however, when they skip and frisk with their clumsy gambols,[1] afford us similar prognostics; oxen, when they snuff upwards towards the sky, and lick[2] themselves against the hair; unclean swine, when they tear to pieces the trusses of hay that are put for other animals;[3] bees, when, contrary to their natural habits of industry, they keep close within the hive; ants, when they hurry to and fro, or are seen carrying forth their eggs; and earthworms,[4] emerging from their holes—all these indicate approaching changes in the weather.