Rain always follow the cattle 
sniffing the air and huddling 
in fields with their heads to the lee. 
You will know that the weather is changing 
when your sheep leave the pasture 
too slowly, and your dogs lie about 
and look tired; when the cat 
turns her back to the fire, 
washing her face, and the pigs 
wallow in litter; cocks will be crowing 
at unusual hours, flapping their wings; 
hens will chant; when your ducks 
and your geese are too noisy, 
and the pigeons are washing themselves; 
when the peacocks squall loudly 
from the tops of the trees, 
when the guinea fowl grates; 
when sparrows chip loudly 
and fuss in the roadway, and when swallows 
fly low, skimming the earth; 
when the carrion crow 
croaks to himself, and wild fowl 
dip and wash, and when moles 
throw up hills with great fervor; 
when toads creep out in numbers; 
when frogs croak; when bats 
enter the houses; when birds 
begin to seek shelter, 
and the robin approaches your house; 
when the swan flies at the wind, 
and your bees leave the hive; 
when ants carry their eggs to and fro, 
and flies bite, and the earthworm 
is seen on the surface of things.