175 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Borough, but even in the Strand and Fleet Street ; but then it 
was obvious, from the dinginess of their aspect, that their 
feathers partook of the filth of that sooty atmosphere.’ * Further 
•on he says : ‘ In London a party of swifts frequents the Tower, 
playing and feeding over the river, just below the bridge ; others 
haunt some of the chinches of the Borough next the fields, but 
do not venture, like the house-martin, into the close, crowded 
part of the town.’ f 
A pair of ring-doves nested for many years in an old tree in 
the Green Park, where they were last observed in 1877. 
Early in July 1873 an immense flock of swifts was observed 
passing over Hyde Park to the westward, at a height of about 
a hundred yards from the ground. It was estimated that there 
must have been 1,500 or 2,000 of them — a most unusual con- 
gregation for this species. 
Did space permit we might give particulars of the appear- 
ance of many uncommon birds (that is, uncommon for London) 
which have alighted at various times in different parts of the 
metropolis, and amongst which we should have to name the 
partridge, quail, snipe, woodcock, and stork. 
Snipe and woodcock have frequently been picked up, and 
almost invariably in the vicinity of telegraph-wires, against 
which they must have flown when passing over the city at 
night. General Oglethorpe, who died in 1785, and who was con- 
sidered the best shot of his day at birds on the wing, frequently 
killed woodcocks, in company with his friend Carew Mildmay, on 
the ground where Conduit Street now stands. 
During severe weather strange wildfowl, such as pochards, 
scaups, and coots, occasionally alight upon the lakes in the 
London parks ; and now and then a diver makes its appearance. 
We have observed the little grebe upon the Pound Pond, in 
Kensington Gardens ; and were not a little surprised one sum- 
mer to find this bird nesting there, the nest, a floating, shallow 
structure, being moored to some aquatic plants at a distance from 
the shore. 
At the periods of migration in spring and autumn gulls and 
terns occasionally visit the Serpentine, and never fail to attract 
attention, from the contrast which their snow-white plumage 
presents with the surrounding landscape. 
To see all these and many other birds which we have not 
named the observer should be astir early, ere the noise and 
traffic of a busy day drives them to concealment, or, it may be, 
to leave the neighbourhood. In these morning walks in town 
it is curious how the eye and ear may be gladdened with rural 
sights and sounds which few would expect to meet with in the 
heart of a great city. 
* Letter XVI., to Dames Barrington, 
t Letter XXI., to same. 
