CONTENTS xi 



PAfJE 



appearance and habits -An aesthetic bird Its increase 

 The dabchick in London Its increase Appearance 

 and habits At Clissold Park The stock-dove in Lon- 

 don . ... 89 



CHAPTEE VII 

 LONDON'S LITTLE BIRDS 



X umber of species, common and uncommon The London 

 sparrow His predominance, hardiness, and intelligence 

 A pet sparrow Breeding irregularities A love -sick 

 bird Sparrow shindies : their probable cause ' Sparrow 

 chapels 'Evening in the parks The starling His in- 

 dependence Characteristics Blackbird, thrush, and 

 robin White blackbirds The robin Decrease in 

 London Habits and disposition* ..... 104 



CHAPTEE VIII 



MOVEMENTS OF LONDON BIRDS 



Migration as seen in London Swallows in the parks- 

 Fieldfares A flock of wild geese Autumn movements 

 of resident species Wood-pigeons A curious habit 

 Dabchicks and moorhens -Crows and rooks The 

 Palace daws Starlings Robins A Tower robin and 

 the Tower sparrows Passage birds in the parks 

 Small birds wintering in London Influx of birds 

 during severe frosts Occasional visitors The black- 

 headed sull A winter scene in St. James's Park . 129 



CHAPTEE IX 



A SURVEY OF THE 1'AUKS : V\ 1'^ 



A general survey of the metropolitan parks West London 



Central parks, with Hollar, d Park A bird's highway 



Decrease of songsters The thrush in Kensington 



