IOO



Rev. C. D. Farrar,



But, nevertheless, I should be very much interested to

learn from other members whether they have noticed anything

similar, and what they think is the reason of it. I am aware

that many comparatively rare birds make the Parks in the heart

of London their home, but the gigantic size of some of these

open spaces makes them almost as rural as the country itself,

although surrounded by a teeming population. * f



A MODERN NOAH.


By the Rev. C. D. Farrar.


King Solomon tried hard to bring all the beasts together

by opening a Zoological Gardens at Jerusalem : but before he

was able to complete his plan he unfortunately died ; and as

neither Rehoboam nor Jeroboam inherited his scientific tastes,

the contents of the Gardens escaped from Jerusalem at the

earliest opportunity, and went back to their respective homes.


Since that day several attempts have been made by public

bodies and private enterprise to bring together meetings of the

wild beasts of the earth and the fowls of the air. One of the

most successful of these modern enterprises is the work of one

of our members, the Rev. B. Hemsworth, of Monk Fryston Hall,

Yorkshire. All who have seen his splendid collection of birds

and beasts will allow that he is no unworthy successor of the

Wise King of Jerusalem. To visit Monk Fryston is far better

than to go to the London Zoo. Here you will find birds that the

Gardens know nothing of ^ ; and all are in the perfection of

beauty, and enjoy almost perfect liberty 7 .



* In many cases, perhaps in the majority of cases, birds come to the localities where

they are allowed to nest undisturbed. Where the nests are protected, the loss of an

occasional brancherby cats will not affect them to the same extent.— K. P.


+ I thinjc there can be no doubt that the increase of birds in towns and suburbs is

chiefly due to the constant destruction of woods, commons, and waste lands by the owners,

and the conversion of the lands into building-plots. In undisturbed parts of the country,

birds are numerous as aforetime; but undoubtedly many birds now build in our gardens

which formerly were confined to the country. I believe a pair of Lesser Wliitetliroats

nested in a crimson may-tree in my garden this year, the parents were constantly to be

een, and later they were accompanied by four young ones.—A. G. Butler.


J We should be glad to know the species that are unknown at the Zoo.— Kd



