220 BIEDS IN LONDON 



the refreshing illusions of openness and distance 

 impossible. Even with a space of fifty or sixty 

 acres, if it be of a proper shape, and the sur- 

 rounding houses not too high to be hidden by 

 trees, this effect of country-like openness and 

 distance, which gives to a London park its 

 greatest charm and. value, can be secured. 

 Again, this being a crowded industrial district 

 full of ' works,' the atmosphere is laden with 

 smoke, and everything that meets the eye, even 

 the leaves and grass, is begrimed with soot. 

 Yet in spite of all these drawbacks Southwark 

 Park is attractive ; you admire it as you would 

 a very dirty child with a pretty face. The trees 

 and shrubs have grown well, and there is a 

 lake and island, and ornamental water-fowl. 

 The wild bird life is composed of a multitude of 

 sparrows and a very few blackbirds and thrushes. 

 It is interesting and useful to know that these 

 two species did not settle here themselves, but 

 were introduced by a former superintendent, 

 and have continued to breed for some years. 



Kennington Park (19 acres) is less than a third 

 the size of Southwark Park ; but though so 

 small and far from other breathing-spaces, in 

 the midst of a populous district, it has a far 



