THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 289 
Nuruatcu, Sitta ewropea.—An occasional visitor. Formerly 
common in Kensington Gardens, now rarely met with. I noticed 
a pair there in 1875. 
Cuckoo, Cuculuws canorus.—A summer visitor. Twenty years 
ago the Cuckoo’s note might be heard in Hyde Park and Ken- 
sington Gardens; now this bird is a rare visitor. I noticed it in 
Hyde Park last year, and Mr. Henry Smith has recorded the fact 
that a Cuckoo’s egg was deposited in the nest of the Reed 
Warbler in the Botanical Gardens, Regent’s Park, where a young 
Cuckoo was seen sitting in a growth of Heracleums, and being fed 
with caterpillars by a Reed Warbler. Mr. Harting on different 
occasions has seen the Cuckoo in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Gray’s 
Inn Square. 
KinerisHEerR, Alcedo ispida.—In August, 1863, a Kingfisher 
was seen frequently at the ornamental water in the Regent’s Park, 
and Mr. Henry Smith has recorded its occurrence in the Botanical 
Gardens. 
Swattow, Hirundo rustica.—‘ The swift-winged Swallow, 
feeding as it flies,” used formerly to breed in the metropolis; 
now it only passes a few hours during its migration skimming 
over the Serpentine and other London waters. It is generally 
noticed about the middle of April. In 18638, as recorded by 
Mr. Bartlett, some Swallows nested in the Zoological Gardens. 
Martin, Hirundo urbica.—A pair of Martins have built their 
nest this year in Kensington Gardens Terrace; another pair at 
the Magazine, Hyde Park. 
Sanp Martin, Hirundo riparia.—Every year in April these 
birds may be seen in considerable numbers skimming over the 
Serpentine. Record from my notes: —“ April 28. Hundreds of 
Sand Martins flying over the Serpentine. April 30. Not a Sand 
Martin to be seen.” 
Swrrr, Cypselus apus.— Generally seen on migration in spring 
and autumn, passing overhead. In July, 1873, an immense flock 
of Swifts, estimated at two thousand, were observed passing over 
Hyde Park. 
Nicutsar, Caprimulgus europeus.—Like the last named, has 
occasionally been observed at the periods of migration. 
Ring Dove, Columba palumbus.—Until the greater portion of 
the Scotch firs in Kensington Gardens were cut down, there were 
generally three or four pairs of these birds breeding there, and up 
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