_Custom of Cranes in Storms._--Some of your readers may be able further to
illustrate the customs which I mention:
"Ex avibus est præsagium coeli. When the crane taketh up a stone and
flies with it in his _foot_, it is a sign of a storm."--Bishop
Andrewes' _Orphan Lectures_, p. 92.: Lond. 1657, fol.
Nonnus describes cranes as carrying stones in their _mouths_ to prevent
them from being carried hither and thither by the violence of winds and
storms.--_Dyonysiacks_, lib. xii. p. 689.: Antwerp, 1569.
Bishop J. Taylor mentions a similar custom in the case of geese, but there
is a different reason assigned for it:
"Ælian tells of the geese flying over the mountain Taurus: [Greek:
hôsper embalontes sphisi stomion diapetontai]; that for fear of eagles
nature hath taught them to carry stones in their _mouths_ till they be
past their danger."--Sermon XXIII. _The Good and Evil Tongue._ Part II.
ab init., p. 168.: Lond. 1678, fol.