The Natural History of Selborne

Ring-ouzels appear on their autumnal visit.

Bee-stalls are  very heavy this year: this hot dry summer has proved advantageous to bees.  Vast N. Aurora, very read, & coping over in the zenith

Gathered-in the large white pippins.  There are now some wasps.

A lime-avenue in Rotherfield-park has shed all it’s leaves.  Many ponds dry a second time.

Many ponds are dry a second time.

Just at the close of day several teams of ducks fly over the common from the forest: they go probably to the streams about Alresford.

Martins congregate in vast flocks, & frequent trees, & seem to roost in them.  The second brood of Martins near the stair-case window, which were hatched Aug. 8, came-out September 5th.  So that the building a nest, & rearing two broods take up much about four months, May, June, July, & August; during September they congregate, & retire in October.

Ladies-traces blow, & abound in the long Lithe.  A rare plant.  * The young house-martins of the first flight are often very troublesome by attemtping to get into the nest among the second callow broods; while their dams are as earnest to keep them out, & drive them away.

Selborne people begin hop-picking.  The tops of beeches begin to turn yellow.

The failure of turnips this year is very great.