October 27, 1773
Hares abound, but pheasants are very scarce this year. One of the vines to the S.W. casts its leaves & looks sickly.
Began levelling my grass-plot & walks at the garden-door, & bringing them down to the level of the floor of my house.
October 24, 1773
Woodlark sings. Great titmouse reassumes it’s spring note.
October 22, 1773
Fog, rain, fog, fog. Saw several martins at Dorchester in Oxfordshire round the church. It is remarkable that the swallow kind appear full as late in the midland counties, as in the maritime: a circumstance this more favourable to hiding than to migration. As it proved these martins were the last that I saw.
October 19, 1773
Venus has become an evening star. Vivid Aurora bor.
October 16, 1773
Mr Yalden finished his barley-harvest, some of which had been cut more than six weeks. In general the grain is not spoiled, but by drying & frequent turning in a floor will be tolerable.
October 14, 1773
Hay sold at Weyhill fair much cheaper than people expected: from £6-10-0 to £7-10-0.