The Natural History of Selborne

The late pliant sort of Honeysuckles, that do not make good standards, begin to show their yellow bloom: the more early are on the decline. Hung the net over the cherry-trees at the end of the house to keep off the magpies, which come to our very windows at three & four in the morning. The daws also from the church have invaded my neighbours cherries. Pies, & daws are very impudent!

Grey crow returns, & is seen near Andover.  Some nightly thief stole a dozen of my finest nectarines.

A flock of ravens about the hager for many days.

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.

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

Saw several grey crows on the downs between Winchester, & Andover; & four pheasants feeding at the corner of Whorwel-wood.  Green wheat beautiful on the downs, but not forward sown.  The Fyfield Comedians performed Much Ado About Nothing, with the Romp.

Vast flock of ravens on the down.

Many ravens on the hill, & a flight of starlings.

Rooks in vast flocks return to the deep woods at half past 8 o’clock in the evening.

Grey crows on the downs.