October 30, 1790
Large fieldfares, a great flock, seen on the hill. Ravens on the down. Wild wood-pigeons, or stock-doves, are seen at my wood at Holtham.
Large fieldfares, a great flock, seen on the hill. Ravens on the down. Wild wood-pigeons, or stock-doves, are seen at my wood at Holtham.
Dug & cleansed the border in the orchard, & planted it with polyanths slipped-out.
This morning Rear Admiral Cornish, with six ships of the line, & two smaller ships of war, sailed from St. Hellen’s.
A flock of 46 ravens over the hanger. Slipped-out pinks, & fraxinals; planted out dames violets from cuttings.
Dr Chandler buys of the Holiburne trufle-man one pound of trufles; price 2s. 6d.
I conclude that the Holiburne trufler finds encouragement in our woods, & hangers, as he frequently passes along the village: he is a surly fellow, & not communicative. He is attended by two little cur-dogs, which he leads in a string.
Spring-keepers come up in the well-bucket. How they get down there does not appear: they are called by Mr Derham– squillae aquaticae.