16 



THE FAUNA AND FLORA OF GREENWICH PARK. 



A Paper read by A. D. WEBSTER, Esq., F.R.S.E., 

 On December 12th, 1900 



To the casual observer the number of wild birds and 

 plants that are to be found in the Royal Park of Greenwich 

 would be considered small indeed, and hardly of sufficient 

 interest to warrant the compilation of a special paper on the 

 subject. 



That this is by no means the case will, however, be 

 amply borne out by the following brief notes regarding such 

 species as I have actually observed during the past four 

 years within the confines of the Park proper. 



Up to the present upwards of 150 species of native plants 

 have been catalogued; while of birds 76 species have been 

 observed, 34 of which breed in the Park, and may therefore be 

 considered as residents. How intimately the Fauna and Flora 

 of the Park is connected may be learnt from the fact that the 

 introduction of several plants, particularly aquatics, may be 

 directly traced to the influence of our feathered friends. 

 Thus only can we account for the appearance lately of the 

 pretty water ranunculus (R. aquatilis), the objectionable 

 American weed (Elodea canadensis), and the rare wild service 

 tree (Pyrus torminalis), all of which were, as far as I can 

 learn, unknown in the Park a few years back. The feet, 

 feathers, and intestines of such birds as the lesser grebe, 

 moorhen, kingfisher, and teal, will readily account for the 

 appearance of aquatics ; while the rook and crow, the black- 

 bird, missel thrush and jackdaw may be held accountable for 

 the introduction of such plants as the datura or thorn 

 apple, the lent lily, euonymus, and many other species, the 

 seeds or bulbs of which are readily transported by their 

 agency from one district to another. 



We might go still further, and point out how Entomology 

 and bird life go hand in hand, for there can be little doubt 

 that the visits of two species of woodpecker to the Park are 

 due to the presence in quantity of the elm-bark beetle ; while 



