144 BIBDS IN LONDON 



and are little remarked. They are to be found, 

 a few here and a few there, all over London, 

 wherever there are trees and bushes, l^ut less 

 in the public parks than in private grounds, 

 cemeteries, and other quiet spots. Thus, during 

 the last two exceptionally mild winters a few 

 skylarks have lived contentedly in the com- 

 paratively small green area at Lambeth Palace. 

 Nunhead Cemetery is a favourite winter resort 

 of a number of small birds — starlings, chaf- 

 finches, and greenfinches, and a few of other 

 species. Chaffinches are found in winter in 

 several of the open spaces where they do not 

 breed, and among other species to be found 

 wintering in the quiet green spots in small 

 numbers are linnets, goldfinches, pipits, and the 

 pied wagtail. 



In exceptionally severe winters birds come 

 into London in considerable numbers — rooks, 

 starlings, larks, blackbirds and thrushes, finches, 

 and other small species — and they then visit 

 not only the parks Ijut all the squares and 

 private gardens. During the big frost of 

 1890-1 skylarks were seen every day searching 

 for food on the Thames Embankment. These 

 strangers all vanish from London on tlic break- 

 up of tlie frost. 



