The Natural History of Selborne

European robin, photo by David Jordan courtesy of Wikipedia. These little birds are so tame I nearly stepped on one yesterday; they like to hang around hiking trails in wet weather in hope of worms.

• 1790: November 23, 1790 – The water in my well is risen three or four rounds of the winch, viz. five or six feet: the spring that runs in may be seen, & heard.  The water is now clear.  Thus will three or four inches of rain replenish my well, deep as it is, after it has been very low, & foul, & almost dry for several months.  I have made the same remark in former years.  Our stream has been so low for many weeks that the miller at Kingsley could not grind; but was obliged to send his corn to Headleigh, where the Blackdown stream never fails.  At Headleigh park-corner the Blackdown streams joins the Selborne rivulet: & at Tilford bridge they are met by the Farnham river, where together they form so considerable a body of water as within a few miles to become navigable, viz: at the town of Godalming; & there take the name of Wey.
• 1788: November 23, 1788 – The downy seeds of travellers joy fill the air, & driving before a gale appear like insects on the wing.  Mrs Clement brought to bed of a boy.  My nephews & nieces now 53.
• 1784: November 23, 1784 – Brother Thomas, & his daughter, & two sons came.  The chaise that brought some of them passed along the king’s high road into the village by Newton lane, & down the N. field hill; both of which have had much labour bestowed on them, & are now very safe.  This is the first carriage that ever came this way.  Planted tulips again in the borders; & the small off-sets in a nursery-bed.
• 1783: November 23, 1783 – The stream in Gracious-street runs, after having been dry for many months.
• 1780: November 23, 1780 – Multitudes of Starlings appear at Newton, & run feeding about in the grass-fields.  No number is known to breed in these parts.  This is therefore an emigration from some other district.
• 1779: November 23, 1779 – Total eclipse of the moon, total but not central.
• 1775: November 23, 1775 – The high glass brings no good weather: Baromrs usually dote, & are mistaken about this time of year.
• 1773: November 23, 1773 – While my people move earth in the garden the redbreasts in pursuit of worms are very tame, & familiar, settling on the very wheel-barrows, while filling.
• 1771: November 23, 1771 – Turdus pilaris.  Hardly any field-fares appear: there are no haws.
• 1768: November 23, 1768 – The ground in a sad drowned condition.  The low fallows can never be sowed.