Tit Major Or Sawyer
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BIRDS AND BEASTS.
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Welsh Folk-lore
The Rev. E. V. Owen, Vicar of Llwydiarth, Montgomeryshire, told me that
the Tit's notes are a sign of rain, at least, that it is so considered in
his parish. The people call the bird Sawyer, and they say its notes
resemble in sound the filing of a saw. A man once said to my friend:--I
dunna like to hear that old sawyer whetting his saw. Why not, said
Mr. Owen. 'Cause it'll rain afore morning, was the answer. This bird,
if heard in February, when the snow or frost is on the ground, indicates
a breaking up of the weather. Its sharp notes rapidly repeated several
times in succession are welcome sounds in hard weather, for they show
that spring is coming.