OUR FEATHERED POLICEMEN 205 



Not far up the Thames Valley a most interesting 

 bird may be located in the Reed Warbler, whose 

 remarkable nest is well worth searching for. On 

 one of the Eyots a friend of mine discovered 

 between twenty and thirty nests on one occasion, 

 and once having seen the deep structure — so 

 cleverly suspended among the reeds — it is im- 

 possible to mistake it again. 



Much more might be written of London's 

 Feathered Folk, but sufficient has been stated to 

 give some idea of the wealth of bird-life to be 

 observed in and around the Metropolis, if only one 

 will cultivate the seeing eye and the receptive ear. 



IV. OUR FEATHERED POLICEMEN 



Of all feathered fowl perhaps our friends the 

 Owls are the strangest. Their odd facial expres- 

 sions and curious forms and habits make a strong 

 appeal to all those who have a love for birds, 

 whilst to the keen student of our feathered popu- 

 lation the few species of Owls we possess in this 

 country are a never-ending source of interest. 



With the exception of the Short-Eared Owl, our 

 remaining four kinds are nocturnal in their habits, 

 and their good deeds more often than not pass by 

 unnoticed, because their exploitations are carried 

 out during the silent watches of the night. 



Possessing a soft, gliding, and almost noiseless 



