78 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Starling builds on the tower at Canonbury, in Is- 

 lington ; sec the note on this bird in Part I ; and the 

 Baltimore Oride is, according; to Wilson, found very often 

 on the trees in some of the American cities; but the Mocking- 

 hird, that used to be very common in the American subur- 

 ban regions, is, it is said, now becoming more rare, particu- 

 larly in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. 



The Thrush, (Turdns Musicus,) was also often heard in 

 the gardens behind York Place, during the spring of 1826. 

 1 beard it myself in delightful song early in March, 1826, 

 among the trees near the canal, on the north side of the 

 Regent's Park. 



Some of the Migratory birds approach much nearer to 

 London than is, I believe, generally imagined. The Cuckoo 

 and Wood-pigeon are heard occasionally in Kensington 

 Gardens. The Nightingale approaches also much nearer 

 to London than has been commonly supposed. I heard it 

 in melodious song at seven o'clock in the morning, in the 

 wood near Hornsey-wood House, May 10, 1826, which is, I 

 believe, the nearest approach to St. PauVs it has been 

 for some time known to make. It is also often heard at 

 Hackney and Mile-end. I have also heard it regularly for 

 some years past in a garden near the turnpike gate on the 

 road leading from London to Greenwich, a short distance 

 from the third mile stone from London-bridge. This charm- 

 ing bird may be also heard, during the season, in Greenwich 

 Park, particularly in the gardens adjoining Montagu-house; 

 but never, 1 believe, on its lofty trees. The Nightingale 

 prefers copses and bushes to trees; the Cuckoo, on the 

 contrary, prefers trees, and of these the elm, from which it 

 most probably obtains its food. The Nightingale is also 

 common at Lee and Lewisham, Forest-hill, Sydenham, and 

 Penge-wood ; in all these places, except Hackney and Mile- 



