WOOD-PIGEONS IN THE PARKS. 



(July 4, 1891.) 



THE enormous increase during the last few years 

 in the number of wood-pigeons frequenting the 

 London Parks must have struck the least 

 observant. Formerly a few pairs bred there 

 every year, Kensington Gardens and the grounds 

 of Buckingham Palace being their favourite 

 nesting-places ; but a few years since their 

 numbers began to increase, and they are now 

 sparrows always excepted the commonest of 

 London birds, and are certainly, without any 

 exception, the most noticeable. Curiously enough 

 the greatest increase has taken place in the most 

 frequented parts of the Parks, the head-quarters 

 of the birds being situate in the district lying 

 between the eastern end of the Serpentine and the 

 Birdcage Walk, omitting the Green Park; and 

 they now frequent the district literally in scores, 

 and many breed there. The ' ' Dell )} and the 

 enclosed lawn on the north side of Rotten Row are 

 very favourite resorts, and large numbers may 

 always be seen there during the summer and 

 autumn, especially after the young birds have 

 flown; but St. James's Park is also a favourite 



