270 BIBDS IN LONDON 



CHAPTER XIV 



PROTECTION OF BIRDS IN THE PARKS 



Object of this book — Summary of facts contained in previous 

 chapters — An incidental result of changes in progress — Some 

 det^ree of protection in all the open spaces, efficient pro- 

 tection in none — Mischievous visitors to the parks — Bird 

 fanciers and stealers— The destructive rough — The bar- 

 barians are few — Two incidents at Clissold Park — Love of 

 birds a common feeling of the people. 



The most serious portion of my work still re- 

 mains to do. In tlie introductory chapter I 

 said that this was a book with a purpose, and, 

 as the reader knows from much that has gone 

 before, the purpose is to point out how the wild 

 bird life we possess may be preserved, and how 

 it may be improved by the addition of otlier 

 suitable species which would greatly increase 

 the attractiveness of tlie parks. 



Px'fore going into tliis i)art of my subject it 

 would be useful to briefly summarise the main 

 facts disclosed in the foregoing chapters. 



1. Many species formerly resident through- 



