THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



localities : the Sedge Warbler has been obtained on the 

 roof of the Agricultural Hall, at Islington, the Goldcrest 

 in the Big Wheel, the Sparrow-Hawk at Guy's Hospital, 

 the Woodcock in the Strand. Many other instances 

 might be given, but sufficient has been said to indicate 

 possibilities and stimulate watchfulness. During winter 

 the game - dealers' shops are a study in themselves, 

 especially Leadenhall Market, where from time to time 

 some of our rarest bird visitors find their way for sale in 

 the Metropolis. A fair collection of rare birds could 

 be obtained in this locality alone by the enterprising 

 naturalist. But this is only a side question of London 

 ornithology. 



The migration of birds over London, I am convinced, 

 is on a very much vaster scale than is generally supposed. 

 Much evidence of this is set forth in the following pages. 

 The very size of the Metropolis suggests that it must of 

 necessity be crossed by large numbers of birds on their 

 way northwards from the Sussex coast, which we know 

 to be a district singularly favourable to the phenomenon. 

 London lies in the direct path of many of these journey- 

 ing birds. A few alight within London's limits ; some 

 of these are detected, others pass on without a call, but 

 sufficiently near to be recognised. During the migra- 

 tion in spring and autumn the cries of passing birds may 

 be repeatedly heard from the night sky ; and there can 

 be no reasonable doubt that the millions of lights in the 

 great city attract vast numbers of these feathered pil- 

 grims, especially during cloudy weather, when they are 

 apt to get off their course or completely to lose their way. 

 It is no uncommon thing to see bunches of Plovers or 

 long skeins of Ducks and Geese, often in a V-like forma- 

 tion, at a great height in the sky on passage over London. 

 During these periods in spring and autumn a sharp 

 look-out should be kept in parks and gardens, or in any 

 place where trees and bushes occur, for migrants which 



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