The Natural History of Selborne

On Feb. 23 the cuckow was heard at Rolle in Switzerland.  Rooks build at Faringdon parsonage.

Planted five rows of long-pod beans in the meadow-garden.  The air somewhat sharp.

Male yew-trees shed clouds of farina.

Sowed Baker’s hill, & the great mead with ashes.  Crocus’s make a glorious show: bees much out.  The air full of insects, & gossamer.  Bat appears.

Cucumber-plants thrive, & are pinched to make them throw-out side shoots.

Took Mrs. Etty’s ashes, 28 bushels; paid her.

Storm-cock sings.  Brown wood-owls come down from the hanger in the dusk of the evening, & sit hooting all night on my wall-nut trees.  Their note is like a fine vox humana, & very tunable.  The owls probably watch for mice about the buildings.  White owls haunt my barn, but do not seem to perch often on the trees.

Small frost, sun, still, & pleasant.  Beautiful dappled sky.

Mice eat the crocus roots.

Strong aurora.