194 Mr. A. Newton on the Possibility 
subsequently many opportunities of discussing the matter with 
him, and the considerations recorded in this essay are among the 
results of the consequent interchange of ideas between us. 
I have already stated my entire ignorance of what is the 
dominant species of bird in England generally. At first sight 
one might be almost inclined to suppose, as Mr. Wolley (in the 
passage I have just quoted) seems to have thought, that the 
House Sparrow is the most abundant of our birds. There is no 
question that it is one of the most characteristic; for this is shown 
as well by a walk through the streets of London as by a ramble 
in the country. But on inquiry I think it will be found that 
there are numerous and extensive districts in which its pre¬ 
dominance cannot be admitted. Its habits incline it to the vici¬ 
nity of human civilization. Where it does occur, it of necessity 
obtains notice. In localities further removed from the haunts of 
men it is clearly outnumbered by the Sky Lark, the Yellow Ham¬ 
mer, and the Chaffinch, and these localities form the majority. 
Difficult therefore as it is to strike the balance, I am of opinion 
that its claims must be disallowed. 
After some reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the 
Grey Partridge in this particular district is the most abundant 
species we have. I do not now pretend to assign for the fact 
any causes beyond those which will immediately occur to the 
reader—the long-continued and systematic destruction of its 
especial enemies, and its still more ancient protection during 
the breeding-season by the law of the land. In other counties I 
well know the fact is otherwise. In parts of Gloucestershire or 
Monmouthshire, one cannot find in a week as many as may be 
seen in an afternoon^ stroll in this neighbourhood; and yet, as 
far as human aid goes, Partridges are as carefully preserved there 
as here. 
Still further, I am almost inclined to doubt if, in any exten¬ 
sive district in England, say a county of average size, any species 
is more numerous than the Grey Partridge is hereabouts. But I 
own freely that I am writing in comparative ignorance, and it 
may well be that I am mistaken. Let it therefore merely rest 
as an assumption, insufficiently supported at present by evidence, 
for the sake of seeing what further inferences may be drawn from 
