84 



EPPING FOREST. 



rookery and heronry on the island in Wanstead Park, 

 where they also breed. 



Carrion Crow. A few are always about ; but they are 

 becoming rare in most parts of England. They nest in 

 several places in the neighbourhood. Their nests may 

 always be distinguished from those of rooks by the lining 

 of wool. 



Hooded Crow. Occasional winter visitor. 



Magpie. This predatory foe to other birds is happily not 

 common hereabouts. There are several about Loughton, 

 and they breed regularly in the Rectory garden. A pair 



used always to breed at Knighton, but I have not 

 observed them for two or three years. 

 Jay. The character of the thicket has greatly encouraged 

 this bird. The harsh rasping note with which he greets 

 an intrader, and his sly ways as he flits ahead, always 

 impelled by curiosity but always out of reach, enliven 

 the Forest, and yet this is the only bird upon whose 

 unlimited increase in the Forest I would place a check. 

 He is cruelly destructive of all other birds' nests, except 

 those which build in holes. A solemn order has gone 

 forth from the Guildhall for his destntction, but who 



