The Natural History of Selborne

Hen chaffinches begin to congregate.

Crocuss begins to spring.

A most astonishing, & destructive flood at Newcastle on Tyne.

Tortoise at Ringmer had not finish’d his hybernaculum, being interrupted by the sunny weather, which tempted him out.

An epidemic disease among the dogs in Sussex, which proves fatal to many.  They pine away, & die moping.

Saw 16 fork-tailed kites at one on the downs.

Tortoise comes out in the sun about noon, but soon returns to his work of digging a hole to retire into.

Few petrifacations about Ringmer & Lewes.  Ringmer soil not clay at top but brick-loam: bears good apples, pears, & grapes.  Clay under, which holds water like a dish.  The trees are mostly elms.

Whitings in high season: herrings going out.

Phyteuma orbicularis in bloom on the downs S. of Lewes.