Children are told they may go and play in the fields, or open, when the sun shines on both sides of the hedge.

A black cat following anyone into a home brings good luck.

Mice coming into a house indicate a death.

A mouse running over anyone is an infallible sign of death.

The squeaking of mice behind the bed of an invalid, or the appearance of a white mouse running across a room, are also signs of death.

Pigs should be killed when the moon is on the rise.

If killed when the moon is waning the fat of the pork will shrink.

It is unlucky to bring a squirrel into a house.

The first time you see any lambs turn your money.

If their heads are turned towards you it is lucky, but if their tails it is the reverse.

Moles work harder than general before rain.

A mole’s foot carried in the pocket is a sure prevention against witches.

      BIRDS.

Crows foretell rain when they caw and walk along on the banks of rivers and pools.

A crow alighting in front of anyone walking is unlucky.

Two crows bring good luck, and if they fly away over the person’s head it is very great good luck.

Four crows foretell a death in the person’s family.

I was recently told that two crows alighting on a house betokens a death, and a very peculiar instance was given.  My informant told me that his coat of arms bears three Choughs and the night before his father died two crows sat on the window sill of his father’s bedroom, and it was remarked that one of the three birds being absent foretold the death which occurred next day.

A bird flying into a house foretells a death.

A white pigeon is a bird of ill omen, and if after hovering about it alights on a house it is a token of the death of one of the inmates.

A hen crowing is a sign of death.

When swallows fly low it foretells rain.

The cuckoo comes in May.  In June he changes his tune.  In July he goes away.  In August away he must, for a cuckoo in September nobody can remember.

It is said woodlarks are never found in Northamptonshire.

Larks rising very high and singing for a long time is a sign of fine weather.

Kites flying aloft betokens fine weather.

Peacock’s feathers, even now, are considered to bring bad luck into a house.

When you see a heron flying the first time in the year put the tips of your right thumb and the finger nearest the thumb together and form a ring.  Then wish and at the same time spit through the opening, and if the spittle does not touch the hand the wish comes to pass.  This, I believe, is a strictly local custom, as there is a heronry in Milton Park, about three miles from Peterborough.

      BEES.

On the death of their master or mistress one of the family or household must go to the hives and tap on them and say who is dead and who is to be their new master.  If this is neglected the bees will pine away.  Some sugared beer is given to the bees at these times.