The Natural History of Selborne

Vast quantities of nuts & filberts.

Tho’ there was a brisk air from the S. all the afternoon; yet the clouds in an upper region flew swiftly all the while from ye N. in great quantities.

Peaches & nectarines redden.  China-asters begin to blow.

Sweet harvest day.  Wheat housed all this afternoon.  With respect to the singing of birds Aug. is much the most silent month: for many species begin to reassume their notes in September.  The goldfinch sings now every day.

Wasps begin to appear.  No swifts since last week.

Terrible storm all night, which made sad havock among the hops, & broke off boughs from the trees.

Wheat lies in a bad way.  Much cut, little bound, & scarce any housed.

Swifts seem to be gone; very early.  Vast clouds on the horizon.  Wheat bound.

Wind covers the walks with leaves, & blows down the annuals.

Hops visible improved by the thunder.  If the swifts are gone, as they seem to be, they can never breed but once in a summer; since the swallows & martins in general are but now laying their eggs for a second brood.  As young swifts never perch or congregate on buildings I can never be sure exctly whenthey come forth.  The retreat of the swifts so early is a wonderful fact : & yet it is more strange still, that they withdraw full as soon in the summer at Gibraltar!  Swifts sat hard Hune 9th.