The Natural History of Selborne

On this day Sr G. Rodney, after having been wind-bound for several weeks, sailed to the W. Indies from Torbay.

The earth is well-drenched; streams run; & torrents fall from the fields into the hollow lanes.

The wind blowed-down the rain-measurer.  Wells rise very fast, & are now up to their usual pitch.

Wells now rise considerably.  Bees come out of their hives.  Gnats play about.

Mezereon blows.  Viola tricolor, red lamium, & grounsel blow.  Hazel catkins open.

Winter aconites blow.

Sun, bright, & pleasant.  A gardener in this village has lately cut several large cauliflowers, growing without any glasses.  The boys are playing in their shirts.  On this day Admiral Kempenfelt fell in with a large convoy from Brest, & took a number of French transports.

Furze is in bloom.  Several young lambs at the Priory.  Shortest day.

Heard’s well is now dry: it is of a vast depth.

Some of my friends have sported lately in the forst they beat the moors & morasses, & found some jack & whole snipes, most of which they killed, with a teal, a pheasant, & some partridges.  The flight of snipes is but small yet.  There is now, I hear, a flight of woodcocks in the upland coverts.