The Natural History of Selborne

Regulus non cristatus medius.  The second-sized willow-wren has a plaintive, but pleasing note, widely different from that of the first which is harsh and sharp.  Merula torquata.  The ring-ouzels appear again on Noar-hill in their return to the northward: they make but a few days stay in their spring visit; but rest with us near a fortnight as they go to the Southward at Michaelmas.

Atricapilla.  The black-cap is usually the second bird of passage that appears.  Some snow under the hedges.

Anemone pulsatilla budds.  This plant, the pasque flower, which is just emerging and budding for bloom, abounds on the sheep-down just above Streatley in Berks.

Small flights of snow.

Oedicnemus appears & whistles.

Frogs croak: spawn abounds.

Regulus non cristatus minimus.  This bird appears the first of any of the summer-birds of passage, the jynx, or wryneck sometimes excepted.  It has only two harsh shrill notes.  Fine season for the husbandman.

Goose sits; while the gander with vast assiduity keeps guard; & takes the fiercest sow by the ear & leads her away crying.

Young cucumber swells.  The great bed heats well.

Planted out the cucumbers in the two-light frames: the plants are stout, but pretty long.  Several fruit have bloom in the first bed.