THE SPAR AP 
SYLVIA ATRICAPILLA 
Loca. names in surrounding counties : 
Stratus IN British Avirauna: A common and widely 
distributed summer visitor, but becoming local in Scot- 
land and Ireland. Occasionally met with during winter. 
RapiaL DistrRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF OT. 
Pauu’s: Whether the more conspicuous appearance of 
the Blackcap has anything to do with the widely prevail- 
ing opinion that this bird is commoner than the Garden 
Warbler in the Metropolitan area I am not prepared to 
say. Whatever may be the reason, it is reported as 
more or less numerous in every suitable part of London’s 
extensive suburbs. Its breeding-places, of course, in the 
most central localities are few, Dulwich, perhaps, being 
the nearest point to St. Paul’s, or even possibly Battersea 
and Regent’s Parks. On migration the Blackcap may 
appear in any of the urban parks ; I have records from 
Hyde Park; but its visit is transient, and may be generally 
overlooked. In the more rural suburbs, such as Croy- 
don, Norwood, Streatham, Wimbledon, Richmond, Kew, 
Ealing, Wembley, Willesden, Barnet, Enfield, Waltham, 
Epping, Ilford, and Bromley, the bird is fairly numerous, 
but decreasing in some places where the builder is becom- 
ing too aggressive. Beyond these limits, again, in the 
still more rural and quieter localities the species becomes 
generally dispersed, and in some parts may be classed 
as quite a common bird. Notwithstanding the Wild 
Birds Protection Acts, many Blackcaps are still caught in 
the environs of London. More’s the pity ! 
The breaking up for building purposes of so many 
beautiful rural spots in the suburbs of London is causing 
the Blackcap and many other charming birds to decrease 
sadly in numbers. ‘The destruction of Wembley Park 
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