Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/222

190 London, which is defined as being within four miles of Charing Cross. As to the first two classes, I have nothing to say, and it would be difficult to add to Dr. Hamilton's list (Zool. 1879, p. 273). The third class includes the names of twenty-six species, and T am curious to know whether readers of 'The Zoologist ' can confirm these or add to them. The list is most interesting: —

Thrush (Turdus musicus); Blackbird (T. merula); Redbreast (Erithacus rubecula); Hedgesparrow (Accentor modularis). These four species nest in all the parks.

Whitethroat (Sylvia cinerea). Said to have nested for some years in Battersea Park.

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis). Said to have "recently" nested by the Serpentine. I cannot help wondering how long ago this was.

Reed Warbler (A. streperus). Said to have nested in the Botanic Gardens. I should be curious to know the last occasion it did so.

Great Tit (Parus major); Coal Tit (P. ater); Blue Tit (P. cæruleus); Wren (Troglodytes parvulus); Starling (Sturnus vulgaris); Jackdaw (Corvus moneculamonedula [sic]).

Crow (C. corone). I fear this species runs some risk of being destroyed by the park authorities, which surely should be prevented.

Rook (C. frugilegus). The writer of the article is wrong in saying there are only three nests left in Gray's Inn. There are many more, but I have not counted them exactly. This is the last London rookery, and I think only continues because the Rooks are regularly fed. When did the Rooks desert Holland House?

Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola).

Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Nests in Battersea Park, but there must be other places within four miles of Charing Cross.

Martin (Chelidon urbica). I never saw a nest in London that I can remember.

Greenfinch (Ligurinus chloris). Said still to nest in Battersea Park.

Sparrow (Passer domesticus); Chaffinch (Fringilla cœlebs).

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). I heard a Cuckoo in the Temple Gardens about 8 a.m. last April. It is said a Cuckoo deposited her egg in the Whitethroat's nest at Battersea a year or two ago.

Wild Duck (Anas boscas). I question whether there are any genuinely wild specimens on the London waters.

Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus). One has been sitting 6ince the last week of February on a nest in a plane tree in Fountain Court, Temple. No explanation seems ever to have been given to account for the strange increase of Wood Pigeons in London.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus).