194 BIRDS 



must be prepared to face difficulties on his own 

 account, for sometimes he will have to work single- 

 handed and possess considerable ingenuity and 

 knack in overcoming unforeseen obstacles that 

 have a nasty habit of cropping up at unexpected 

 moments. 



III. London's feathered folk 



In the Springtime, when feathered folk are so 

 busily employed, and so much animation is ex- 

 hibited in the home life of our wild birds, it is 

 interesting to have a peep at a few of the avine 

 inhabitants of the greatest city in the world. 

 Whilst we shall include in our list some kinds of 

 birds which are found almost beyond the London 

 radius, it is astonishing to notice the wealth and 

 variety of bird life that exists in the parks, gardens, 

 and open spaces within sound of the busy turmoil 

 and noisy hum of the streets of the Metropolis. 



With birds, however, as with every other branch 

 of Natural History, it is a case of eyes and no eyes. 

 I have, for example, frequently stopped to look at 

 a pair of Ring Doves nesting in one of the tall trees 

 in Regent's Park, or to watch a saucy Magpie dis- 

 porting himself upon the green sward; but I have 

 enjoyed my inspection alone, in spite of the fact 

 that dozens of people were passing and repassing 

 within sight of the birds but heeded them not. I 



