BIRDS IN LONDON 273 



species so widely different in structure and life 

 habits struck us as very remarkable. 



The spring of 1898 was unusually cold and 

 wet, and, in England generally, the most un- 

 favourable breeding season for birds since the 

 disastrous winter of 1894-5. The toAvn birds, 

 however, did not appear to suffer ; and as they 

 were more numerous when breeding began than 

 in any previous year, the increase was, I believe, 

 the greatest we have yet known. 



Here the wood-pigeons come first of the large 

 birds ; until the October scattering took place 

 they were more abundant by a great deal, and 

 more generally diffused throughout the metro- 

 polis, than at any time since their appearance 

 about eighteen years ago. It is probable that 

 they rear more broods than their fellows in the 

 country; certainly they breed later, and many 

 pairs are stiU occupied in rearing their young 

 long after the autumnal movement has begun. 

 One pair of young birds at Clissold Park did not 

 come off the nest until October 24. 



Fortunately ,the young birds are not stay-at- 

 homes, but are incessantly going about seeking 

 for new places to settle in. In 1898 probably 



