The Natural History of Selborne

Large fieldfares, a great flock, seen on the hill.  Ravens on the down.  Wild wood-pigeons, or stock-doves, are seen at my wood at Holtham.

Dug & cleansed the border in the orchard, & planted it with polyanths slipped-out.

Wet & uncomfortable.

Grapes better.

This morning Rear Admiral Cornish, with six ships of the line, & two smaller ships of war, sailed from St. Hellen’s.

A flock of 46 ravens over the hanger.  Slipped-out pinks, & fraxinals; planted out dames violets from cuttings.

Dr Chandler buys of the Holiburne trufle-man one pound of trufles; price 2s. 6d.

I conclude that the Holiburne trufler finds encouragement in our woods, & hangers, as he frequently passes along the village: he is a surly fellow, & not communicative.  He is attended by two little cur-dogs, which he leads in a string.

Spring-keepers come up in the well-bucket.  How they get down there does not appear: they are called by Mr Derham– squillae aquaticae.

My well is very low, & the water foul.