622 Birds in the Vicinity of Tooting, Surrey, 



Art. II. On the Species of Birds observed, during the last Four 

 Years, in the Vicinity of Tooting, Surrey ; with a few Remarks 

 on their comparative Numbers and Distribution. By Edward 

 Blyth, Esq. 



Perhaps, in treating on the fauna or flora of any particular 

 district, the first thing that ought to be considered is, the 

 character of the soil, and general aspect of the country. This 

 may be here told in a few words. We are situate nearly 

 seven miles from the metropolis, upon the London clay, which 

 is hereabouts everywhere covered with a thick layer of gravel. 

 In many parts, the superjacent soil is deep, in others scanty. 

 Where the former obtains, the ground is generally devoted to 

 cultivation, but there is little corn raised ; hay, and especially 

 medical herbs, being the chief product. The inferior land is 

 suffered to run waste ; and in every direction there are some 

 extensive commons interspersed, overspread with furze or 

 heather. Our immediate neighbourhood is, in general, low, 

 with much water ; and would soon return to its former marshy 

 and unhealthy state, were it to be left to the operations of 

 nature for a kw seasons. The small river Wandle winds its 

 course hard by, and turns numerous mills in its progress to 

 the Thames : more, I believe, within a few miles than any 

 other stream in the country. On either side of its banks are 

 low meadow lands, in many places wet and marshy. We 

 have no woods very near ; but, in several directions, they are 

 extensive within a few miles. Coombe and Dulwich Woods 

 are the principal ; and beyond Croydon are some wide-spread- 

 ing fir plantations. To the south and east, we come, after a 

 few miles, upon chalk, where,' in general, there are extensive 

 downs (fine arable and pasture lands), varied, in one or two 

 localities, with abrupt escarpments, and evergreen- covered 

 hills. At a short distance to the west, the beautiful park of 

 Earl Spencer, and, farther on, the delighful scenery of Rich- 

 mond and the contiguous parishes, offer a widely diversified 

 country for the investigations of the student of natural history. 

 In short, it will be seen that we have a wide field for general 

 observation, and have every description of scenery but that 

 of the mountain and the main. 



As the whole district, however, is extremely populous, and 

 shooters abound in every hamlet, there is a great dearth of all 

 the larger birds, and the list of raptorial species is rather scanty. 



I cannot definitively say that the Osprey has been seen ; but 

 have reason to believe that it occasionally hovers over the 

 Thames. Last week, I examined a recent specimen that had 

 been shot in Sussex, evidently a bird of theyear; and Mr. Gould 



