220 BIBDS IX LONDON 



tlie refreshing illusions of openness and distance 

 impossible. Even with a space of fifty or sixty 

 acres, if it be of a proper shape, and the sur- 

 rounding houses not too high to be hidden by 

 trees, this effect of counUy-like openness and 

 distance, which gives to a London park its 

 greatest charm and value, can be secured. 

 Again, this being a crowded industrial district 

 full of ' works,' the atmosphere is laden with 

 smoke, and everything that meets the eye, even 

 the leaves and o-rass, is beo-rimed with soot. 

 Yet in spite of all these drawbacks Southwark 

 Park is attractive ; you aduiire it as you would 

 a very dirty child with a pretty face. The trees 

 and shrubs have oTown well, and there is a 

 lake and island, and ornamental water-fowl. 

 The wild bird life is composed of a multitude of 

 sparrows and a very few blackbirds and thrushes. 

 It is interesting and useful to know that these 

 two species did not settle here themselves, but 

 were introduced Ijy a former superintendent, 

 and have continued to breed for some years. 



Kennington Park ( l!);icr('s)isless thnn a third 

 tlie size of Soiilhwaik I'ark; but tliough .so 

 small mid i'nv fi-oiii ollici- bi-enlliiug-spaces, in 

 the midst (jf a pojjiiloiis dish'id, i( lias a fnr 



