The Natural History of Selborne

Finished laying the floor of my great parlor.

Cut my St foin, the 11th crop.  Weeds obtain much, & the crop grows thinner every year.

Full moon.  Sweet summer’s day.  The laburnums are in bloom, & high beauty.  Wheat begins to push a few ears.

Bees go into their hives covered all over with a yellow farina, so that they look like wasps.

The cucumbers abate in their bearing; & always do at this time of year.

Snake gorges a toad much larger than itself.  When full it is very sluggish, & helpless, & easily taken.

Barn-owls are out in the day, taking their prey in the sunshine about noon.

The missel-thrush sings much: his song is loud, & clear, but without any variety; consisting of only two or three wild notes.

Rooks bring their young out, after the chafers.

Blowing & cold.  In such weather as this the swifts seldom appear.  Bees suffer, & get weak.