186 BIRDS IN LONDON 



being divided from the cemetery by a narrow 

 lane or footpath. To the birds these two spaces 

 form one area. 



Of Highgate Cemetery it is only necessary 

 to say, in passing, that its ' manifest destiny ' is 

 to be made one open space for the public with 

 its close neighbour; that from this spot you have 

 the finest view of the metropolis to be had from 

 the northern heights ; and when there are green 

 leaves in place of a forest of headstones, and a 

 few large trees where monstrous mausoleums 

 and monuments of stone now oppress the earth, 

 the ground will form one of the most beautiful 

 open spaces in London. 



There are two little lakes in Waterlow Park 

 where some ornamental fowls are kept, and of 

 these lakes, or ponds, it may be said, as of the 

 Hampstead ponds, that they are too small for 

 such a giant as the mute swan. On the Thames 

 and on large sheets of water the swan is a great 

 ornament, his stately form and whiteness being 

 very attractive to the eye. On the small ponds 

 he is apt to get his plumage very dirty and to 

 be a mischievous bird. He requires space to 

 move about and look well in, and water- weeds 

 to feed on. It is not strange to find that our 



