124 
NATURE NOTES. 
of Kensington Gardens, but these nesting places have 
been deserted during the last few years. 
(31.) Sand Martin ( Cotiie riparia). — Uncommon spring 
visitor, and simply passes through town after hawking 
flies for a few hours. 
(32.) Tree Creeper [Certhia familiaris ). — A rare visitor. 
(33.) Greenfinch ( Ligurinus chloris). — Uncommon in Hyde 
Park and Kensington Gardens, but to be seen not 
unfrequently in the Botanic Gardens, Regent’s Park. 
(34.) Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris).— One was seen in 
Kensington Gardens on April 25th, 1890. 
(35.) Sparrow ( Passer domesticus). — The commonest resident 
bird. I saw a melanistic variety, with throat and 
breast black, on the Victoria Embankment on the 
10th October, 1890. Pied varieties are common. 
(36.) Chaffinch ( Fringilla ccclcbs). — Resident in very small 
numbers, and less common in winter than in summer — 
at any rate in the centre of London. 
(37.) Linnet ( Linota cannabina). — A single bird seen in 
Kensington Gardens in 1886 was very tame, and may 
possibly have been only an escaped bird. 
(38.) Bullfinch ( Pyrrhula Europcca). — A single specimen 
seen in 1884, near the Serpentine. 
(39.) Yellowhammer [Ember iza citrinella). — The only bird of 
this species I have ever seen in London was a hen bird 
in New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, on 1st April, 1889. 
(40.) Starling ( Sturniis vulgaris.) — After the sparrow, the 
starling is the commonest London bird, many pairs 
nesting in our parks and squares every year. Cold 
weather drives in considerable flocks. 
(41.) Jay (Garrulus glandarius.) — On 2nd December, 1889, I 
saw a jay in Lincoln’s Inn Lields ; this bird frequented 
the place for some weeks, and is the only specimen I 
have observed in London. 
(42.) Jackdaw ( Corvus monedula). — Lairlj'- common at all 
seasons. Do not know of any nests in Hyde Park or 
Kensington Gardens. 
(43.) Crow ( Corvus corone). — A pair have nested in Kensing- 
ton Gardens during the last few summers. I believe 
four young birds were reared last year, but I do not 
think they are breeding this year. There are some in 
Holland Park. 
(44.) Rook ( Corvus frugilegus). — Common. Used to nest in 
Kensington Gardens, but owing to the trees being cut 
down does so no more. There is a small rookery at 
Gray’s Inn. A solitary pair built a nest this spring in 
a tree in Albion Street, in the Bayswater Road ; the 
nest is still to be seen, but the birds deserted it shortly 
after incubation commenced. 
(45.) Raven ( Corvus corax). — One seen in October, 1889, 
near Kensington Palace, probably an escaped bird. 
