PBOTEGTION OF BIBDS IN THE PARKS 275 



The conclusion I have come to, after a care- 

 ful study of the subject, is that wild birds of all 

 the species remaining to us, and many besides, 

 are very well able to thrive in London ; that 

 many species have been and are being lost 

 solely on account of the indifference of the park 

 authorities in the matter ; that the comparative 

 abundance and variety of wild bird life in the 

 different open spaces depends on the degree of 

 protection and encouragement the birds receive. 

 And by encouragement I mean the providing 

 them with islands, shrubberies, and such cover 

 as they require when breeding. Thus, we see 

 that in so vast a space as Hyde Park, where 

 there is practically no protection given and 

 nothing done to encourage wild birds, the 

 songsters are few and are decreasing ; while in 

 some comparatively small open spaces constantly 

 thronged with visitors the bird life is abundant 

 and varied, and increasing. It should not be, 

 but certainly is, the case that it depends on the 

 person who is in charge of the open space 

 whether anything shall be done to encourage the 

 birds ; if he takes no interest in the matter those 

 who are under him will not concern themselves 

 to save the birds. We have seen that veiled 



