The Natural History of Selborne

The scorched laurels cast their leaves, & are almost naked.

On this cold day about noon a bat was flying round Gracious street-pond, & dipping down & sipping the water, like swallows, as it flew: all the while the wind was very sharp, & the boys were standing on the ice.

The wind blowed-off the fox’s tail.

Planted two rows of garden-beans.

Boys play on the Plestor at marbles, & peg-top.  Thrushes sing in the coppices.  Thrushes & blackbirds are much reduced.

Made a seedling-cucumber-bed.  The glazier mended the light of the seedling-frame broken by hail.

Men begin to plough again.

Received five gallons, & seven pints of French brandy from Mr Edmd Woods.

Shook the snow from the ever-greens, & shovelled the walks.  Snow-scenes very beautiful!  On this day Mr Blanchard, & Dr Jeffries rose in a balloon from Dover-cliff, & passing over the channel towards France, landed in the forest De Felmores, just 12 miles up into the country.  These are the first aeronauts that have dared to take a flight over the sea!!!

No snipes in the moors of the forest, or on the streams.  No wood-cocks to be found this winter.