The Natural History of Selborne

Fern-owl chatters: it comes early this year.

In some districts chafers swarm: I see none at Selborne.  Cotton blows from the willows, & fills the air: with this substance some birds line their nests.  Mr Burbey’s brown owl, which was a great washer, was drowned at last in a tub where there was too much water.

The wood-lark sings in the air at three in the morning: stone curlews pass over the village at that hour.

The great oak in the mead abounds with male bloom.

Shade the best tulips from the vehemence of the sun.  Polyanths are hurried out of bloom.  Vine-shoots are forward.  Sowed the great annual-frame with flower-seeds: sowed two hand-glasses with cucumbers, green & white.  Timothy wanders round the garden, & strives to get out: he is shut-up in the brew-house to prevent an escape.

Men cart peat & chalk.  The deepest roads are quite dry.

Mrs Ben White was brought to bed of a boy, who encreases my nephews, & nieces to the number of 52.  Bror Thos Wh. tulips from South Lambeth make a gaudy appearance.  The bloom of cherries, pears, & apples is great; of plums, bullace, sloes, little.  Currans promise for much fruit, gooseberries for little.  Peaches & nectarines are set: cherries begin to eat.

Began to mow the orchard for the horses.  Timothy wighs 6 ae 13 oz. 10d.  Mole-cricket churs.

Harsh, windy unpleasing weather for many days.

Wall-cherries loaded with bloom. The wild meris, cherry, blossoms.