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GARDEN LISTS OF BIRDS. 

 By the Rev. Murray A. Mathew, M.A., F.L.S. 



Much might be ascertained concerning the distribution of our 

 British Birds, of which we are still very far from possessing a full 

 knowledge, by close observation of them for a series of years in 

 such limited areas as are provided by the gardens and pleasure 

 grounds immediately surrounding our houses, if lists were kept 

 of all the species seen, not only of those that constantly occur 

 and nest, and of all occasional visitors, but even of those that 

 are identified flying over, with dates and other particulars. These 

 lists should be headed with a description of the environments, 

 whether wood and copse, or meadow and pasture, &c, with the 

 elevation above the sea, how far distant from water in the form 

 of brooks, rivers, and ponds, or from the nearest point of the 

 coast, arm of the sea, or tidal river, which might be expected to 

 be a flight-line of migrating birds. If carefully kept, such lists 

 would prove of great service for exchange or comparison, and 

 might be forwarded to ornithological correspondents in other 

 parts of the kingdom, who could send their own in return. 

 Having kept such lists for the last thirty years in the three 

 different homes which I have occupied in succession, each for 

 nearly an equal term, and each surrounded by about the same 

 extent of garden, it would appear from them that any observer 

 in a similar area might expect to be able to record at least 

 seventy species of our British Birds as visiting it ; while, if he 

 lived near to a tidal river or to a large wood, he might count 

 upon a considerable addition to that number. In submitting my 

 own lists, I am hoping to encourage the rising generation of bird 

 lovers, and can assure them that the patient watchfulness requisite 

 for their compilation will afford much pleasure and interest. Of 

 course the greatest accuracy must be aimed at, and no species be 

 entered unless its identification be complete. Even now, it is 

 with a keen feeling of delight that I return to my house to note 



