168 BIRDS IN LONDON 



Ravenscourt, though not large (32 acres), is 

 very beautiful. With Waterlow, Clissold, and 

 Brockwell Parks it shares the distinction of 

 being a real park, centuries old ; and despite the 

 new features, the gravelled paths, garden-beds, 

 iron railings, &c., which had to be intro- 

 duced when it was opened to the public, it 

 retains much of its original park-like character. 

 Its venerable elms, hornbeams, beeches, cedars, 

 and hawthorns are a very noble possession. 

 To my mind this indeed is the most beautiful 

 park in London, or perhaps I should say that it 

 would be the most beautiful if the buildings 

 round it were not so near and conspicuous. It 

 may be that I am somewhat prejudiced in its 

 favour. I knew it when it was private, and the 

 old image is very vivid to memory ; I lived for 

 a long time beside it in sad days, when the 

 constant sight of such a green and shady wilder- 

 ness from my window was a great consolation. 

 It was beautiful even in the cold, dark winter 

 months when it was a waste of snow, and when, 

 despite the bitter weather, the missel-thrush 

 poured out its loud triumphant notes from the 

 top of a tall elm. In its spring and summer 

 aspect it had a wild grace and freshness, which 



