What it is is an Oregon Scientific rain gauge. I recommend against buying one. I had one which a friend gave me and it was unreliable. I bought a cheap one from Wallmart and it lasted exactly one day. Then I bought the one you see here. It lasted two months before it quit working.
My last purchase was a $40 piece of plastic which is what the professionals use. It's on it's way. I expect it to have the practical advantage, compared to the electronic units, of actually telling me how much rain I got.
Most elaborate cover story ever...
OK, I was spanking the monkey in the forest. You got me