8.II

Concerning the Way of Telling the Weather by the Birds, and Knowing if it Will be Fine or Rainy Weather.

It is necessarily part of the shepherd’s job that he should know about the weather and in order to take instruction in this, he should pay attention to several things.

Concerning Starlings

It often happens in winter that starlings gather in great crowds and fly together and sometimes they sit on an elm or other tall tree. So the shepherd should pay attention to how the starlings take off from the elm tree, for when they leave all together in one flock, this means great cold; if they leave in small groups, one after the other, this is sign of rain.

Concerning the Heron

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When the heron rises from its foraging and cries out loudly on its ascent, this indicates rugged and harsh weather. If it flies into the north wind, this means great cold. If it flies into the southwest wind from the valley, which the shepherds call plunging, this means rain.

If the heron on return from its flight settles again near the place from which it left, this indicates that the weather described above will soon arrive. If it flies and settles at some distance from where it took off, the change in the weather will be delayed and will not come as soon.

Concerning the Swallow

When the swallow flies really high and leisurely in long swoops, this means rain.

When it flies low and fast near the ground, this means an abundance of rain.

When it is in the air and sporting about seeking little flies, this indicates fine weather.

-Old Jean of Brie, a Shepherd of the Free Men’s Lands.