PREFACE 
THE present volume is the result of many years’ observa- 
tion of the Bird-Life of London. For the past eight 
years a more or less continuous residence in the Metro- 
polis has enabled me not only to arrange the many notes 
already in my possession (some of these date back to 1880), 
but to devote a considerable time to the special study of 
its avifauna. 
The species dealt with include all that are found resi- 
dent within the fifteen-mile radius ; all that visit that 
area either as summer or winter migrants; and, finally, 
the casual wanderers that occur at irregular intervals. 
A brief history has been given of each species fairly 
claiming a place in the list of London birds, together 
with a description of the adult and young plumage, 
which will enable the student readily to identify 
them. 
My book has been written to encourage the observa- 
tion of the Bird-Life of London, and I hope it may prove 
of some assistance to the pursuit of Nature-study in the 
elementary schools of the Metropolis. Most suburban 
residents take an intelligent interest in the birds of their 
particular neighbourhood, and these, I,trust, may find 
something of use to them in the following pages. 
My radius of fifteen miles may seem a somewhat wide 
one; but in these days, when space is annihilated, I 
may be forgiven the extension, although it includes 
Vv 
