PREFACE 



THE present volume is the result of many years' observa- 

 tion of the Bird-Life of London. For the past eight 

 years a more or less continuous residence in the Metro- 

 polis has enabled me not only to arrange the many notes 

 already in my possession (some of these date back to 1880), 

 but to devote a considerable time to the special study of 

 its avifauna. 



The species dealt with include all that are found resi- 

 dent within the fifteen-mile radius ; all that visit that 

 area either as summer or winter migrants ; and, finally, 

 the casual wanderers that occur at irregular intervals. 

 A brief history has been given of each species fairly 

 claiming a place in the list of London birds, together 

 with a description of the adult and young plumage, 

 which will enable the student readily to identify 

 them. 



My book has been written to encourage the observa- 

 tion of the Bird-Life of London, and I hope it may prove 

 of some assistance to the pursuit of Nature-study in the 

 elementary schools of the Metropolis. Most suburban 

 residents take an intelligent interest in the birds of their 

 particular neighbourhood, and these, I trust, may find 

 something of use to them in the following pages. 



My radius of fifteen miles may seem a somewhat wide 

 one ; but in these days, when space is annihilated, I 

 may be forgiven the extension, although it includes 



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