20 MARCH 1942, Page 14

WEATHER-WISE BIRDS

Sue,—I read with interest the account di The Spectator of Decem- ber 19th, 1941, of " A Weather-Wise Bird."

Here on Vancouver Island the Indians call the Pileated Wood- pecker, locally called " The Cock of the Woods," the Rain Bird. My experience is that he is a true prophet, the rain coming, almost invariably, soon after his call is heard.—Yours truly, E. A. LEATHER.

Mere Side, Quaniichan Lake, R.M.D.r, Duncan, British Columbia.