The Natural History of Selborne

First day of winter.  Snow on the ground.

Grapes now delicate, & in good plenty: they had never ripened, had not Octr proved a lovely month.  The rallus porzana, or spotted water-rail, a rare bird, was shot in the sedge of Bean’s pond.  This was the first of the sort that ever I hear-of in these parts.  I sent it to London to be stuffed & preserved.  A beautiful bird.

Great field-fares flock on the down.

Rooks gather acorns from the oaks.

The air swarms with insects, & yet the hirundines have disappeared for some time: hence we may infer that want of food alone cannot be the motive that influences their departure.  * many little insects, most of which seem to be tipulae continue still to sport & play about in the air, not only when the sun shines warm; but even in fog & gentle rain, & after sunset.  They appear at times the winter thro’ in mild seasons; & even in frost & snow when the sun shines warm.  They retire into trees, especially ever-greens.

Beautiful season for sowing of wheat.  Much wet ground sown.

Snipes begin to quit the moors, & to come up into the wet fallows.

Dark, & cold, dark, bright.

Great fog, white frost, bright.

Hops sold at Wey-hill fair from 2:16:0 to 4:4:0: & 5:0:0 to 5:10:0.