The Natural History of Selborne

The blackcap begins to sing in my fields: a most punctual bird in it’s return. * In the season of nidifcation the wildest birds are comparatively rare. Thus the ringdove breeds in my fields tho’ they are continually frequented: & the missel-thrush, tho’ most shy in the autumn & winter, builds in my garden close to a walk where people are passing all day long.

Apricots begin to set.  Planted seven rows of potatoes.  Nightingale in my fields.

Nightingale sings.  Three swallows appear.  Several bank-martins about the verge of the forest.

Shell-snails come out in troops.

The ring-ouzel appears on it’s spring migration.  It feeds now on ivy-berries, which just begin to ripen.  Ivy blossoms in Octobr.  In the autumn it feeds on haws, yew berries, &c.: also on worms, &c.

The ground harrows, & rakes well.

Two swallows appear at Faringdon.

No rain since the 9th of March.

A fine regular bloom all over the apricot, peach, & nectarine trees.  Sheltered the bloom with some ivy-boughs.

Hot sun.  Great thunder-shower at Winton.