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CHAPTER VI 



RECENT COLONISTS 



The wood-pigeon in Kensington Gardens — Its increase — Its 

 beauty and charm — Perching on Shakespeare's statue in 

 Leicester Square — Change of habits — The moorhen — Its ap- 

 pearance and habits — An aesthetic bird — Its increase — The 

 dabchick in London — Its increase — Appearance and habits 

 — At Clissold Parli — The stoek-dove in London. 



Of the species which have estabhshed colonies 

 in London during recent years, the wood-pigeon, 

 or ringdove, is the most important, being the 

 largest in size and the most numerous ; and it is 

 also remarkable on account of its beauty, melody, 

 and tameness. Indeed, the presence of this 

 bird and its abundance is a compensation for 

 some of our losses suffered in recent years. It 

 has for many of us, albeit in a less degree than 

 the carrion crow, somewhat of glamour, pro- 

 ducing in such a place as Kensington Gardens 

 an illusion of wild nature ; and watching it 

 suddenly spring aloft, with loud flap of wings, to 

 soar circling on high and descend in a graceful 



