Wrens whistle all the winter except in severe frost. Wrens whistle much more than any English bird in a wild state. The redbreast sings great part of the year; but at intervals is silent. This year concludes with a very wet season, which has lasted from the middle of Octr last, & has occasioned vast floods, & desolation both at home & abroad. Much wheat-land in wet countries remains unsown.
The lavants, or land-springs run very strong between Faringdon & Chawton.
Linnets flock & haunt the oat stubbles & pease-fields.
Trenched up the quarters of the garden for the winter.
Musca tenax does not die as winter comes on, but lays itself up.
Tempestuous wind all night. This storm did great mischief at sea, especially among the colliers.
Young lambs begin to fall on the sands round the forest.
Hail in the night. Frost almost constantly succeeds hail.
Wild fowl abounds in the ponds on Woolmere forest: they lie in the great waters by day & feed in the streams & plashes by night.
Most owls seem to hoot exactly in B flat according to several pitch-pipes used in tuning of harpsichords, & sold as strictly at concert pitch.
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