The Natural History of Selborne

Received two bramblings from Mr Battin of Burkham.  They are seen but seldom in these parts: are fine shewey birds.

Mr Hool’s man says that he caught this day in a lane near Hackwood-park, many rooks, which attempting to fly fell from the trees with their wings frozen together by the sleet, that froze as it fell.  There were, he affirms, many dozens so disabled!  It is certain that Mr H’s man did bring home many rooks & give them to the poor neighbours.

The hawk proinith, says the new glossary to Chaucer; this is picketh, or dresseth her feathers: from thence the word preen, a term in ornithology, when birds adjust, & oil their feathers.

Some ivy berries half-grown.

Grey, & white water-wagtails appear every day; they never leave us in the winter.

Grey & sharp.  Vast flight of wild-fowl haunt Woollmer-pond: the water in some parts is covered with them.  They are probably more numerous on account of the early severity of the weather on the continent.

Rooks resort to their nest-trees.

Mrs Snooke’s tortoise, after it had been buried more than a month, came forth & wandered round the garden in a disconsolate state, not knowing where to fix on a spot for it’s retreat.

The air abounds with insects dancing about over the evergreen trees.  They seem to be of the genus tipula, & empis.  Phalaenae come out in the evening they seem to be much hardier than the papiliones, appearing in mild weather all the winter through.  Full moon.

Dark & mild, spiting rain, great rain.  Earth-worms are alert, & throw-up their casts this mild weather.