THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS 239 



that very little notice will be taken of them by any 

 local authorities. I once came upon two men with 

 their nets set close to a pathway along which two 

 policemen passed daily, and within a short distance 

 of two prominent notice-boards containing lists of 



PARTRIDGE SITTING 



such birds as were protected in the districts ; never- 

 theless, the bird-catchers, on this occasion, caught 

 two kingfishers and numbers of other birds of various 

 kinds. . Near to London, kingfishers are very far 

 from being common ; but still, I know of a stream 

 where Londoners may still enjoy the sight of these 

 brilliant and interesting birds on any day throughout 



