The Natural History of Selborne

The young Bantam hen brought out only three chickens.  Showers that wetted the blades of corn, & grass, but did not descend to the root.  Ground very hard.

The ground sadly burnt up.  Royal russets show much bloom.  Summer cabbage comes in.

My great oak abounds in bloom, which is of a yellowish cast: the young shoots usually look red. The house-martins at Mareland, in the few hot days, began to build, but when the winds became cold again immediately desisted.

Fyfield sprung a brace of pheasants in Sparrow’s hanger.  Hail-like clouds about.

Strong, cold gale.

The thermometer for three or four days past has stood in the shade at Newton at 79, & 80.

The double roses rot in the bud without blowing out: an instance this of the coldness, & wetness of the summer.  Potatoes blossom.

The Provost & Lady left us.  Thunder in the night, & most part of the day to the S. & S.E.  Yellow evening.

Thunder, & hail.  A sad midsumr day.  When the Blattae seem to be subdued, & got under; all at once several large ones appear: no doubt they migrate from the houses of neighbours, which swarm with them.

Linnets congregate in great flocks.  This sweet autumnal weather has lasted three weeks, from Septr. 8th.