— eae a 
THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 281 
where I witnessed a very unusual spectacle. When about one hundred yards 
from the railing of the late Mr. Holford’s grounds, I was brought to a stand 
by observing an immense flight of Larks coming over the Zoological Gardens 
and making for the late Marquis of Hertford’s (this is from N.E. to S.W.). 
Their numbers were countless, and they literally darkened the air. They 
were flying very low, and were obliged to divide in order to pass me on 
either side. This flight took two or three minutes to go over, and after a 
brief interval was succeeded by another almost as numerous. Being curious 
to observe whether it would continue, I remained on the spot for upwards 
of an hour, during which time flight after flight passed near me, sometimes 
in detachments of a few hundreds at a time, sometimes in myriads. One 
of the flights settled almost within shot and covered the ground, within a 
few inches of each other, for the space of half an acre. The unusual sight 
attracted the notice of one of the park keepers and of several others. How 
long they may have been passing I cannot say. I only know when I left 
the cry was ‘still they come.’” 
A similar occurrence was observed in Hertfordshire in 1842. 
Thousands of Larks commenced passing over, flying low, in flocks 
of many hundreds at a time, from daybreak to sunset, all following 
the same course, going from N.E. to §.W., and uttering a low 
chirp. On the next day a deep snow set in. 
There is scarcely an English poet, from Chaucer to the present 
time, who has not sung the praises of the Lark. As Professor 
Newton truly says, ‘a volume might be filled with extracts 
describing it or alluding to its habits.” 
Common Buntine, Emberiza miliaria.—A casual visitor. Has 
been observed in the Regent’s Park. 
Cuarrinou, Fringilla celebs—May be regarded as a resident. 
It breeds in Hyde Park. In 1878 there was a nest in a tree over 
the most fashionable lounge, where for two or three hours every 
day crowds of gaily-dressed people are sitting, walking, and 
talking. It also breeds in Kensington Gardens, Battersea Park 
and the Regent’s Park. It has been noticed as a casual visitor in 
Queen Square, Bloomsbury, and in Gray’s Inn Square. 
In the older writers, the Chaffinch is called “Spynke,” no 
doubt from its note. Skelton, in his ‘‘ Death of Philip Sparow,” 
refers to— 
“ The Lark with his long to, 
The Spynke, and the Martynet also.” 
In the ‘Countrie Farme’ (ed. 1600), the “Spinke” is fre- 
quently mentioned, and in the French work by Estienne and 
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