Bird Life in a Suburban Parish 17'3 



Tlie l)al)cliick, or Little Cirebe, nests oeeasionally in the 

 various ponds, and I lune been interested in watching 

 the quaint actions of this diminutive diver, which, hke 

 tlie A\\)od-pioeon and tlie W^ater-lien, has taken to nesting 

 regularly in the London parks. It is really a great deal 

 more safe in the heart of London than anywhere else ; for 

 these birds are carefully protected, and a great deal of interest 

 is taken in them, so that they do not stand much chance 





Little Grebe {Podiccps flitviatilib) jlldi.\u iis Yol.ng. 



of coming to harm. Two whole days spent opposite their 

 nest in St. James's Park were very enjoyable, and resulted 

 in some good photographs. 



Xow that the Great Crested Grebe nests in Richmond 

 Park, perhaps we may indulge in the hope that these most 

 stately and ornamental of all water-birds will also establish 

 themselves in one of the London parks, where they would 

 be heartily welcomed, and would give as much pleasure to 

 I^ondoners as the yearly visits of the Black-headed Gulls 

 which are now so regularly expected. 



