London Birds. 5 



people are about, that they 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, migratory with us, as they are more 

 plentiful at some times of the year than at others. 



Fieldfares and Redwings are to be seen occa- 

 sionally in cold weather ; but we have 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 Sparrows. 

 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 Sparrows are a dainty meal. Unlike the 

 rabbits and guinea-pigs, who will nibble and sniff at 

 a python's nose, they seem too wide-awake to doubt 

 their fate for a moment, and crouch together in a 



