The Natural History of Selborne

Vine-shoots have been pinched by the frost.  Two house-martins up at Mr Yalden’s.  If bees, who are much the best setters of cucumbers, do not happen to take kindly to the frames, the best way is to tempt them by a little honey put on the male & female bloom.  When they are once induced to haunt the frames, they set all the fruit, & will hover with impatience round the lights in a morning, ’til the glasses are opened.

Began to cut a little orchard grass for the horses.  Some few beeches are in leaf.

Oaks are felled: the bark runs freely.  Many swallows.  Two swifts round the church.

No house-martins seen yet, save one by chance.  Apricots, peaches, & nectarines swell: sprinkled the trees with water, & watered the roots.

Redstart returns.  Wryneck returns, & pipes.

No house-martins appear: they are very backward in coming.  One swift seen.

Cuckoo cries.

Asparagus begins to sprout.

Turtle cooes.

The titlark begins to sing: a delicate songster!