The Natural History of Selborne

While the cows are feeding in moist low pastures, broods of wagtails, white & grey, run round them close up to their noses, & under their very bellies, availing themselves of the flies, & insects that settle on their legs, & probably finding worms & larvae that are roused by the trampling of their feet. Nature is such an oeconomist, that the most incongrous animals can avail themselves of each other! Interest makes strange friendships.

Timothy, the tortoise weighs just six pounds three quarters & two ounces & an half: so is encreased in weight, since Aug. 1775, just one ounce & an half.

Sun, & clouds, sultry, showers about.

Hay not housed at Meonstoke & Warnford.

Mr Grim the artist left me.  Began to gather apricots.  Put out two rows of celeri: thr ground dry & harsh.

We destroyed a strong wasp’s nest, consisting of many combs: there were young in all gradations, from fresh-laid eggs to young wasps emerging from their aurelia state; many of which came forth after we had kept the combs ’til the next day.  Where a martin’s nest was broken that contained fledge young: the dams immediately repaired the breach, no doubt with a view to a second brood.

Peacocks begin to moult & cast their splendid train. Total eclipse of the moon.

Cut the grass in the little meadow.  Hay makes well.  Hops fill their poles, & throw-out lateral shoots.

Bees that have not swarmed kill their drones.

Walnuts abound, but are rather small & spotted.