274 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
had its maze and wilderness full of small birds. The Fleet-ditch, 
formerly called “‘ Turnmill-brook,” was a clear and rapid stream 
frequented by the Kingfisher and various water-fowl. Boats could 
come up to Holborn Bridge, and fish were caught there, possibly 
Salmon and Trout, for we know the river Thames was full of 
them. Maitland says, “How remarkably good are its Salmon! 
what fine large Flounders! what Smelts, Trout, Grayling, Tench, 
Barbel, Chub, Roach and Dace!” And no doubt the large 
gardens of the mansions of the nobility on the banks of the 
Thames were as full of the different feathered songsters of the 
grove as the river was of fish. The fields where now stand 
Belgrave and Eaton Squares and the surrounding streets were 
but a few years ago frequented by Wild Geese and Ducks, 
Plover and Snipe. Every house in that neighbourhood had its 
duck-gun, and the quiet sequestered gardens of Cadogan Place 
was a well-known resort of the Nightingale and Blackcap. 
Alas! the birds of London are fast diminishing in numbers. 
The great increase of buildings and other causes drive them to 
the outskirts, where they may still be found. We propose to give 
a short account of those left as residents, as well as of those which 
casually visit us on their way to ‘fresh woods and pastures 
new; and few would suppose that we should be able to enumerate 
no less than ninety-three species, and there may be many others. 
Some idea of the number of birds in Hyde Park in 1799 may 
be gained from what occurred during a review held there in that 
year by King George on the occasion of his sixty-second birthday. 
The papers of the day relate that ‘‘ the troops reviewed were 841 
cavalry and 7351 infantry, and that during their evolutions several 
thousands of small birds flew alternately from the noise of the 
troops towards the verge of the circle of spectators, from whence 
they returned terrified to the troops, and vice versd, till they 
became so exhausted that some of them fell motionless to the 
ground.” 
PEREGRINE F'aucon, Falco peregrinus.—A casual visitor. For 
many years a pair of these birds frequented the top of St. Paul’s 
Cathedral. The late Sir John Sebright, my informant, stated that 
they could always be seen there during the month of October, 
attracted, no doubt, by the numerous Pigeons frequenting the 
different porticos and steeples of the churches. 
