THE LONDON DAW 55 



three are now tenanted by the 'ecclesiastical 

 daw.' 



On the borders of London at Hampstead. 

 Greenwich, Dulwich, Eichmond, and other points 

 daws in limited numbers are to be met with ; 

 in London proper, or inner London, there are 

 no resident or breeding daws except the small 

 colony of about twenty-four birds at Kensington 

 Palace. Most of these breed in the hollow elms 

 in Kensington Gardens: others in trees in 

 Holland Park. There is something curious 

 about this small isolated colony : the birds are 

 far less loquacious and more sedate in manner 

 than daws are wont to be. At almost any hour 

 of the day they may be seen sitting quietly on 

 the higher branches of the tall trees, silent and 

 spiritless. The wind blows, and they rise not 

 to play with it ; the graceful spire of St. Mary 

 Abbott's springs high above the garden trees 

 and palace and neighbouring buildings, but it 

 .does not attract them. Occasionally, in winter, 

 when the morning sun shines bright and melts 

 the mist, they experience a sudden return of the 

 old frolicsome mood, and at such moments are 

 capable of a very fine display, rushing over and 

 among the tall elms in a black train, yelping 



