6 LONDON BIRDS 



show themselves in any considerable numbers. But 

 when the gates are first open, and the early morning 

 dew is on the grass, one may see them, four or five at 

 a time stamping to start the worms, then hopping 

 for a yard or two, and standing still to listen, with 

 their heads on one side, and their bright eyes sparkling 

 with attention. 



Blackbirds, too, are common, though less so than 

 Thrushes, and also nest in St. James's Park. They 

 are, probably, largely migratory, as they are more 

 plentiful at some times of the year than at others. 



Fieldfares and Redwings are to be seen occasionally 

 in cold weather; but London can offer no great 

 supply of berries to attract them, and their visits are 

 short. 



But though, by right of their voices no less than the 

 notch in their beaks, the Thrushes claim the place of 

 honour, easily first among London birds, by numbers 

 as well as impudence, are the SparroAvs. Poking about 

 in every gutter, and dusting themselves almost under 

 the horses' feet with all the amusing self-possession of 

 street urchins, they take care not to be overlooked. 



But for one quiet house in a corner, the Zoological 

 gardens might be the happy hunting-ground of good 

 Sparrows. Dainties are to be had for the stealing all 

 over the place, and even the lions and bears and eagles 

 are too sleepy and well-fed to resent any amount of 

 petty larcenies. It is a melancholy thing, though, to 

 see the end when it does come. The snakes are fed 

 one afternoon in the week, and five or six tailless 



