The Natural History of Selborne

First brood of young swallows comes forth more early than usual.  They commonly appear about the first week in July.

Young wild-ducks, or flappers are taken at Oakhanger-pond; & a small Anas olive, which seemed to me to be a young teal: turned it into James Knight’s ponds.

Some ears of wheat begin to appear.  Measles epidemic to a wonderful degree: whole families down at a time.  Several children that had been reduced by the whooping-cough dyed of them.

Sheep are shorn.

Great rains in the night.  Planted-out a bed of Savoys.  No apples or pears.

Elder begins to blow.  When the elder blows-out the summer is at its height.

Scotch and spruce firs beautifully illuminated by the male & female blossoms!

Lathraea squammaria in seed.  Turtle-dove about.  Measles prevail in this neighbourhood.

May 12: First swifts were seen, many together.  On May 19 at night was a vast rain with thunder & lightening: frequent showers before & since; so that the ground is very moist; & the corn & grass grow.  The floods are much out at Staines.  In the beginning of the month there were frosts, hail, & some snow.  Apricots continue to fall off peaches, & nectarines decent crop.  Apples blow well: pears seem hurt by the frosts.  Vine-shoots very backward; they were pinched by the frost.

Ground very wet.  Nightingale sings.