The Natural History of Selborne

• 1788: February 18, 1788 – Turnip-tops come into eating.  The ground dries at a wonderous rate.
• 1786: February 18, 1786 – Pleasant season: paths dry.  Men plough & sow.  Large titmouse sings his three notes.
• 1785: February 18, 1785 – Carried the apples, pears, & roots into the cellars.
• 1783: February 18, 1783 – Cleaned-up the borders in the garden.  Sowed radishes, & a few carrots under the fruit-wall.
• 1781: February 18, 1781 – The storms in the beginning of the week did great damage by sea, & land.
• 1773: February 18, 1773 – Lambs fall strong, & thrive very fast.  Last year numbers perished.
• 1769: February 18, 1769 – The missel-bird, turdus viscivorus (called by the country people the storm-cock) sings.  Some flies appear in the windows.  Gnats abound.

A thousand apoligies for the hiatus– I’ll try not to let that happen again!