THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
where their pleasing plumage, engaging ways, and charm- 
ing music will ever furnish a rich store of amusement 
and recreation for those who are doomed to pass their 
lives far from the green countryside, with all its benefi- 
cent influences. ‘Then the rapid, luxurious, and cheap 
means of transit nowadays to all parts of the London 
area make the study of London’s birds much easier and 
pleasanter than formerly. A short, quick journey in 
any direction renders a visit to the haunts of any special 
or particular bird a matter of little trouble or expense. 
In the following pages, under the heading of each species, 
a carefully worked-out distribution has been given, 
whilst the table at the end of this chapter will show at a 
glance the general habitat. Finally, I may add that 
everything possible should be done not only to induce 
birds to visit and remain in London, but to encourage 
their intelligent study, especially by the young. From 
a social and moral point of view alone the trifling expendi- 
ture involved will prove an investment of the greatest 
value to the community. ‘That enterprising body the 
London County Council, to which citizens are indebted 
far more than they realise for endless improvements and 
advantages, might be induced to do a little more in 
beautifying the Great City from an ornithological point 
of view. I would suggest that some competent person 
be appointed to watch over the natural history of the 
Council’s parks and open spaces. His duties should be 
to protect and extend the London avifauna (by local 
Acts where necessary), and to record and report facts 
concerning it, with the assistance of the many intelligent 
keepers and rangers employed in these places. He 
should also be competent to direct the Nature-study of 
the elementary schools, and to suggest to teachers the 
most suitable material available in each special area. 
Children would then become familiar with the natural 
objects to be found in their own neighbourhoods. It 
