The season when flies annoy cattle.
1706. This is their [Fishes’] constant Course all Flie-time, always biting best at any sort when that sort of Flie comes most to the River.—Howlett, ‘Angler’s Sure Guide,’ p. 86.
1757.
| In teizing fly-time, dank, or frosty days, | |
| With unctuous liquids, or the lees of oil, | |
| Rub their soft skins, between the parted locks. | |
—Dyer’s ‘Fleece,’ i. 366. |
1805. There are also found open cleared spots on the summit of hills, called “Buffaloe beats,” because supposed to be occasioned by the resort of those animals thither in fly time.—Thaddeus M. Harris, ‘State of Ohio,’ p. 179. (Italics in the original.)
1846. Arter I ’d gone to bed I heern Him a thrashin round like a short-tailed Bull in fli-time.—‘Biglow Papers,’ 1st Series, No. 1.
1850. Lumbrin’ over the high logs like a big bull in … a small pastur’ in the worst of fly-time.—H. C. Lewis (‘Madison Tensas’), ‘Odd Leaves,’ p. 95 (Phila.).
1851. [He was] er cuttin up shines worse nor er bob-tail bull in fly time!—‘Polly Peablossom’s Wedding,’ &c., p. 72.
1853. A horse in fly-time without a tail! The case was worse than that of the cow.—Durivage, ‘Life Scenes,’ p. 29.
1855. I sweated like a bull in fly-time.—W. G. Simms, ‘The Forayers,’ p. 442 (N.Y.).
1858. The bull had no provision for ‘fly-time.’—Knick. Mag., li. 541 (May).
