EPPING FOREST. 



ITS BIRDS. 



" The nightingale, of birds most choice, 

 To do her best shall strain her voice : 

 And to this bird, to make a set, 

 The mavis, merle, and robinet, 

 The lark, the linnet, and the thrush, 

 That make a choir in every bush." — Drayton. 



Many kinds of birds are observed in Epping 

 Forest. Formerly they suffered much at the 

 hands of bird-catchers, who caught great numbers 

 with clap-nets and other devices. This is happily 

 now prohibited by the conservator's bye-laws, which 

 are well enforced. The following notes are the 

 result of the observations of several naturalists in 

 the neighbourhood. 



Peregrine Falcon. A pair of these birds were killed some 



years ago on the Copped Hall estate. 

 Sparrow Hawk. Frequently seen throughout the Forest. 



Is destructive to game and small birds. 

 Hobby. A pair of these beautiful but rare summer visitants 



nested for two years — 1846-47. After being disturbed, 



they nested on the Hill Hall estate, and brought off their 



young. 

 Kestrel. Common. Seen hovering or gliding over the open 



ground. Feeds chiefly on mice and such small game. 

 Common Buzzard. Has been seen several times during the 



last few years. 

 Rough-legged Buzzard. A pair of these birds killed some 



years ago at Epping were presented by the late Mr. 

 G 



