106 BIRDS IN LONDON 



have risen to such a position, to have occupied, 

 nay conquered, London, and made its human 

 inhabitants food-providers to his nation ; and, 

 finally, to have kept his possession so long 

 without any decay of his pristine vigour, despite 

 the unhealthy conditions. He does not receive, 

 nor does he need, that fresh blood from the 

 country which we poor human creatures must 

 have, or else perish in the course of a very few 

 generations. Nor does he require change of air. 

 It is commonly said that ' town sparrows ' 

 migrate to the fields in summer, to feast on 

 corn ' in the milk,' and this is true of our birds 

 in the outlying suburbs, who live in sight of the 

 fields ; farther in, the sparrow never leaves his 

 London home. I know that my sparrows a 

 few dozen that breed and live under my eyes 

 never see the country, nor any park, square, or 

 other open space. 



The hardiness and adaptiveness of the bird 

 must both be great to enable it to keep its 

 health and strength .through the gloom and 

 darkness of London winters. There is no doubt 

 that many of our caged birds would perish at 

 this season if they did not feed by gas or candle 

 light. When thev do not so feed it is found 



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