The Natural History of Selborne

Out of the wind there is frost; but none where the S. wind blows.

Bees come-0ut, & gather on the snow-drops.  Many gnats in the air.

Ice on ponds is very thick.

Sowed the great mead in part, & all Berriman’s field (laid down last year with grass-seeds) with good peat-ashes.

My themometer is broken.

Water frozen on my chamber-window.

Storm all night.  The may-pole is blown down.  Thatch & tiles damaged.  Great damage is done both by sea and land.

Several little black ants appear about the kitchen-hearth.  These must be the same that are seen annually in hot weather on the stairs, with which somehow they have communication thro’ a thick wall, or under the pavement, into the middle of the house.

Wheat grows much.  Grass grows.

Vast flocks of fieldfares.  Are these prognostic of hard weather?