THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON - 
localities: the Sedge Warbler has been obtained on the 
roof of the Agricultural Hall, at Islington, the Goldcrest 
in the Big Wheel, the Sparrow-Hawk at Guy’s Hospital, 
the Woodcock in the Strand. Many other instances 
might be given, but sufficient has been said to indicate 
possibilities and stimulate watchfulness. During winter 
the game-dealers’ shops are a study in themselves, 
especially Leadenhall Market, where from time to time 
some of our rarest bird visitors find their way for sale in 
the Metropolis. A fair collection of rare birds could 
be obtained in this locality alone by the enterprising 
naturalist. But this is only a side question of London 
ornithology. 
The migration of birds over London, I am convinced, 
is on a very much vaster scale than is generally supposed. 
Much evidence of this is set forth in the following pages. 
The very size of the Metropolis suggests that it must of 
necessity be crossed by large numbers of birds on their 
way northwards from the Sussex coast, which we know 
to be adistrict singularly favourable to the phenomenon. 
London lies in the direct path of many of these journey- 
ing birds. A few alight within London’s limits; some 
of these are detected, others pass on without a call, but 
sufficiently near to be recognised. During the migra- 
tion in spring and autumn the cries of passing birds may 
be repeatedly heard from the night sky; and there can 
be no reasonable doubt that the millions of lights in the 
great city attract vast numbers of these feathered pil- 
grims, especially during cloudy weather, when they are 
apt to get off their course or completely to lose their way. 
It is no uncommon thing to see bunches of Plovers or 
long skeins of Ducks and Geese, often in a V-like forma- 
tion, at a great height in the sky on passage over London. 
During these periods in spring and autumn a sharp 
look-out should be kept in parks and gardens, or in any 
place where trees and bushes occur, for migrants which 
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