The Natural History of Selborne

Hirundo rusticae in a nest in Viborg, Denmark.

• 1789: October 10, 1789 – Two hop-waggons return with loads of woollen rags, to be spread & dug in as manure for the hop-gardens.
• 1788: October 10, 1788 – Nailed-up a Greek, & an Italian inscription on the front of the alcove on ye hanger.  Boys took a large round wasps nest in the Ewel, nearly as large as a gallon measure.  Several martins round the church.  Many flies on the tower, which come out from the belfry to sun themselves.
• 1785: October 10, 1785 – Mr S. Barker left us.
• 1784: October 10, 1784 – A person took a trout in the stream at Dorton, weighing 2 pounds, & an half; a size to which they seldom arrive with us, because our brook is so perpetually harassed by poachers.
• 1783: October 10, 1783 – Full moon.  Sweet moonshine.
• 1782: October 10, 1782 – We make tarts, & puddings with the crude unripened grapes.  Gathered-in the Virgoleuse, & Chaumentelle pears, a good crop: somewhat has gnawn many of the former like wasps or hornets.
• 1781: October 10, 1781 – My well rises.  My hedges are beautifully tinged.  Wood-larks sing sweetly thro’ this soft weather.
• 1778: October 10, 1778 – My crop of apples is large; pears are but few; medlars in abundance wallnuts many, but not very good.  One apple-tree produced ten bushels.
• 1777: October 10, 1777 – Vast fog, sweet day.  Gossamer abounds.
• 1776: October 10, 1776 – Grey, windy, soft & agreeable.  Now my grapes are delicate notwithstanding the summer was so wet & shady.
• 1775: October 10, 1775 – Woodcock killed this day.
• 1774: October 10, 1774 – Dark morning, small showers, bright afternoon.
• 1773: October 10, 1773 – Storm that broke the boughs from the hedges.  Many swallows & martins.  Much barley & vetches abroad.  The housed & ricked barley in wet condition; it heats much.
• 1770: October 10, 1770 – Several very young nestling swallows with square tails.  Oestrus curvicauda still appears.  Apples gathering.  Grapes begin to be eatable.