318 BIBDS IN LONDON 



to the number of our species is to procure the 

 eggs of suitable wild birds, to be hatched in the 

 nests of the park bi:rds. Thus, the missel-thrush 

 might easily be got back by placing its eggs in 

 the nests of blackbirds and thrushes. The large 

 size and handsome plumage of the missel-thrush, 

 or storm-cock, his dashing motions and loud 

 winter song, would make him one of our most 

 attractive birds ; and that he is well able to 

 thrive in London we have already seen. 



Another bird which no one is ever tired of 

 seeing and hearing, and would be a great ac- 

 quisition, is the nuthatch ; this species, although 

 not uncommon on the wooded borders of London 

 and in some of the outlying parks, would no 

 doubt have to be introduced by man. The 

 nuthatch is a difficult bird to manage, on a.ccount 

 of its violent temper and impatience of confine- 

 ment ; but it is possible that the starling, which, 

 like the nuthatch, breeds in hollow trees, and 

 feeds its young on much the same kind of food, 

 might make a suitable foster-parent. At all 

 events, the experiment is worth trying. It 

 should be easy to procure its eggs, as the bird 

 is very common in man}' well-timbered parks 

 and open oak woods within a short distance of 



