The Natural History of Selborne

One Fly-catcher builds in the Virginia Creeper, over the garden-door: & one in the vine over the parlor-window. Between Newton & us we heard three Fern-owls chattering on the hill; one at the side of the High-wood, one at the top of the Bostal, & one near the Hermitage. That at the top of the Bostal is heard distinctly in my orchard. Fern-owls haunt year by year nearly the same spots.

A fly-catcher has built a nest in the great apricot-tree, in which there is one egg.

The Flycatcher, which was not seen ’till the 18th, has got a nest and four eggs.

Some fly-catchers: but they do not yet begin to build.  Carrots drawn.

In Richd Bulter’s garden there is a Fly-catcher’s nest built in a very peculiar manner, being placed on a shelf that is fixed against the wall of an out-house, not five feet from the ground;  & behind the head of an old rake lying on the shelf.  On the same spot a pair of the same birds built last year; but as soon as there were young the nest was torn down by a cat.

My potatoes do but just sprout above ground.  Sweet Williams blow.  When the hen fly-catcher sits on her eggs, the cock feeds her with great assiduity, even on ’till past nine in the evening.

Tulips are gone.  The heat injures the flowers in bloom.  St foin in full bloom.  Fly-catcher has five eggs.

Fly-catcher builds.  Farmers cut clover for their horses.