SP iwi - AY SS WY RQ S WOO RK \ NY . WS WX QV RG \ A \ \\ << XQ AIA NK MY \\ . \ \\ SY AX IQA \X A \ \\ I \ \ WN Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Uroana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/birdsoflondon0Oswan THE BIRDS OF LONDON gigas Pees OF LONDON BY bn kK. SWANN Editor of the ‘‘ Naturalist’'s Journal” LONDON Son SONNENSCHEIN & CO: PATERNOSTER SQUARE 1893 PREFACE SEARCY In the following pages an effort has been made to include all the species of birds which 8 1954 have occurred, more or less frequently, within * a radius of some twelve miles of London, and — : : = to give as complete an account as possible of their distribution. In the Appendix will be found mention of one or two species which have been reported to have occurred in the “vicinity of London, but whose occurrence 1s Sopen to doubt, together with such additions ~as have been made since the first part of ‘the work was written. The nomenclature and classification followed 926 ‘are those adopted by Mr. Howard Saunders Nin his recently published “Illustrated Manual Sof British Birds.” Q V1 PREFACE. Among those who have contributed notes and information, the author especially wishes to thank Messrs. A. F. Gates, H. T. Booth, B. R. Harrison, and others, for their assist- ance. Information has also been gathered from Mr. J. E. Harting’s valuable “ Birds of Middlesex,” Mr. G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton’s “Harrow Birds,” Colonel Bridgeman’s list of birds forming the Appendix to the “Flora of Harrow,’ and other works; also from the columns of the “ Zoologist,” the “ Field,” and other periodicals. INTRODUCTION. A Few words upon the various localities mentioned in the following pages may, perhaps, not be out of place here, especially as such a small proportion of Lon- doners are at all well acquainted with the said locali- ties, and even those that are will probably pardon me this slight digression. To begin then in the east, the farthest point mentioned is Dagenham Lake. This is situated some four miles beyond Barking and on the north side of the Thames, with which it was until re- cently connected. It is a deep and clear sheet of water, and is fully a mile in length by perhaps one- sixth of a mile in breadth at the widest part. The edge of the water is fringed with dense beds of reeds and sedges, forming a cover for water-fowl, which, however, are not abundant, owing no doubt to the lake being so much frequented by fishermen and gunners. Nevertheless, in the early morning, particu- larly in the latter part of the year, a few wild ducks of several species may be seen, while the wary and artful moor-hen is always about. In the beds of reeds, Vill INTRODUCTION. etc., the reed warbler abounds, and is perhaps more common here than elsewhere in the vicinity of London. After the breeding season numerous flights of gulls frequent the lake, and now and then one or two great herons pass over, coming from the Wanstead heronry. Numbers of wagtails, pipits, and various other small birds, frequent the marshy fields around, and in the autumn also one or two kestrels are frequently to be seen hovering over the stubbles. Between Dagenham and Ilford there is little but the vast stretch of arable land, with the scrubby hedges and shorn trees, but at intervals you come across a rippling brook or rivulet, on which you are sure to find one or other of the wagtails at all times of the year: the elegant grey wagtail predominating in the winter, and the equally elegant pied and yellow species in the spring and summer, in spring comes hither the chattering sedge warbler, and on the larger streams the wary moor-hen abounds. ‘The fields, also, are not without their feathered inhabitants ; finches and buntings of many species are always present, be- sides many other birds, and in the winter prodigious flocks of lapwings may be seen. Perhaps, in the early autumn, you start out before daybreak for a “ tramp abroad,” when all nature—human and otherwise— seems dead, and stumble across the fields for the first half-hour while all is silence. Almost before the day begins to break you hear the lapwings crying over the fields, their far-off pee-wit at this time seeming in the stillness like hopeless lamentations. About daybreak INTRODUCTION. 1X the redbreast bursts into song; then from the elm- tree across the field comes the rich pipe of the blackbird, seeming to arouse the sparrows in the tree-tops, which, in their first waking moments, commence their noisy chirping. Mow up springs the laggard sky-lark, speeding upward with his joyful carol, but not until the humble robin has been heralding the approach of day for nearly half-an-hour. On the marshy lands by the river Roding at Ilford and Wanstead, the common and jack snipes, golden plover, and similar birds are not uncommon in the winter. Here, also, may generally be seen a few great herons from the adjoining Wanstead Park, sometimes they are to be seen flapping slowly and awkwardly along over the marshy fields, uttering at intervals their loud, harsh notes, or, perhaps, you may come upon one of these fine birds standing motionless in one of the marsh ditches or pools and watching for its prey; so still will it stand that the eye frequently fails to detect it, until your nearer approach suddenly creates a startling phenomenon in the shape of a rush- ing mass of wings and legs as the great bird heavily takes to flight. Separated from Ilford and Romford by a great expanse of almost treeless and hedgeless fields (for- merly part of the forest), are the remains of the Forest of Hainhault, consisting of several detached portions stretching along the ridge of high ground on which is situated the village of Chigwell Row, beyond which latter place there still remains one fairly large xX INTRODUCTION. tract of woodland. The ornithology, however, is al- most identical with that of Epping Forest, which is only separated by a valley of some three or four miles in width. The latter may yet lay good claim to the title “forest,” for, in spite of former extensive inroads, which have now, happily, been checked, it is still a very extensive tract, and, in some places, solitary enough to tempt a visit from the wildest of our birds. In this, one of the few surviving remnants of our old- time British forests, several shy and uncommon birds are yet to be found: the wary and handsome jay always abounds ; the magpie, also, although much less common, is still to be found breeding in the forest ; while the somewhat local stock-dove breeds quite commonly in the hollows or crowns of the pollard trees. Of raptorial birds, the kestrel, sparrow-hawk, and several species of owls, frequent the forest, while the merlin and hobby are both of occasional occur- rence. Now and then you catch a glimpse of the brightly-plumaged green woodpecker as it flits through the woodlands, or you observe the neat circular aperture of its nest high up in the main limb of a tree. The great and lesser spotted woodpeckers also inhabit the forest, although both are rare. The hand- some redstart is common in the spring, breeding in holes in the old pollard trees; and there are also hosts of other small birds. Few pleasures have so great an attraction for me as an early morning’s ramble through some unfrequented part of this great woodland, when “ madding crowds ” INTRODUCTION. X1 are far away and the woods echo only with Nature’s laughter—the song of birds—or the wind comes sigh- ing gently, sadly through the trees at the silent hour of noon, when the birds have ceased their song and the drowsy insects hum in the stillness from flower to flower above your head, as you lie far from noise and care in the dreamy solitude of the woodlands. I have loved to visit our forest at all ages and seasons, be she young in the budding springtime or old and hoary on some cheerless day of winter, for here are always life and wealth in the wondrous workings of old Nature. Wanstead Park (now open to the public) consists almost entirely of wood and water, there being a chain of small lakes extending the whole length of the park, while the river Roding winds through the adjacent flats. There is an ancient heronry (of about. thirty nests or more) on an island in one of the lakes ; and there is also an extensive rookery here. Fifty years ago, says Mr. J. E. Harting, a pair of ravens inhabited the park and built their nest in the herony on an inaccessible tree. Hadley Wood (in the immediate vicinity of Barnet) is perhaps nearly two miles in length, but of incon- siderable breadth anywhere, being a mere strip of woodland extending from Monken Hadley to the out- of-the-way little place known as Cock Fosters. It is a natural and ancient wood, mostly covered with old timber and tangled undergrowth, partaking somewhat of the character of Epping Forest, and the ornithology X11 INTRODUCTION. is also similar; jays, green woodpeckers, carrion crows, etc., being found in small numbers; the woodcock I have observed once only ; the rather scarce and local nuthatch also inhabits this wood, but I have only noticed the birds in one particular part of the wood : I believe this to be a peculiarity of the species. On the main road to Barnet, and midway between that place and London, are situated the well-known Highgate Woods ; there are several woods here, the four principal ones being, Bishop’s Wood, Caen Wood, Gravel-pit Wood (belonging to the London County Council), and another wood which is the property of a farmer. The principal feature in the feathered popwation of these woods is the abundance of the warblers, of which the followimg species are to be found in the spring,—nightingale, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, garden warbler, chiffchaff, willow wren, sedge warbler, and grasshopper warbler ; excepting the two last, all are exceedingly common. A few redstarts are also to be found breeding here. The tree creeper and four or five species of titmice are common, particularly in the winter, when the tiny goldcrest also abounds. The lesser spotted wood- pecker frequented one of the woods during the early part of 1891, and the great spotted and green wood- peckers are also said to have occurred. Passing Kingsbury Reservoir, an irregular and ex- tensive sheet of water, often visited by wild ducks, plovers, sandpipers, etc., you approach the vast extent of quiet meadows lying between Kingsbury, Harrow, INTRODUCTION. Xl and Edgeware. There are no woods to speak of, but the land is well timbered, and the hedges ample. Here in these unfrequented meadows the carrion crow abounds, almost outnumbering the rook, unlike which it invariably constructs a new nest every year. Many of the old nests may be observed in the trees about the fields, and these are often utilised by the kestrel and sparrow hawk, the former particularly being common about here. Indeed, it is a familiar sight to see a kestrel gliding low down over the fields, or oc- casionally hovering almost motionless in mid-air, the bird being easily recognised by its beautiful reddish mantle. The lapwing also breeds commonly here, and in strolling across the fields you will perhaps come across the four familiar eggs, placed in a slight de- pression in the short grass, and visible at several yards distance. In these great thorn hedges you will fre- quently find the nest of the red-backed shrike, with its four, five, or six beautiful eggs, or see the strik- ingly handsome bird itself sitting motionless on a dead branch or other eminence and waiting its prey. By the tiny streamlet the reed bunting starts from its nest at your approach, and on the willow branch above his nest the sedge warbler gabbles his varied notes as the evening creeps on. Perched on the top- most spray of the hedge, the corn bunting utters his monotonous c¢link, clink, while from the post the spotted flycatcher darts with noiseless and circling flight at the dancing gnats. In the stillness of even- ing, you are listening to the mellow and varied pipe X1V INTRODUCTION. of the song thrush, when from the neighbouring tree strikes up the nightingale in notes so deep and rich that the melody of the song thrush sinks into com- parative insignificance. Then in the twilight the lap- wing comes circling around you, crying mournfully, wallup, poo-ee, poo-ee, wee-ip, weird notes that make one wonder strangely what they mean, or if they have a meaning ; while from the distant fields comes the interminable note of the land-rail, the grove upon the hill whispers a distant cuckoo, cuckoo, and ever and anon comes the faint trilling of the grasshopper warbler. In the south the most notable places are :—Rich- mond Park, in which there is an increasing heronry, and the woodpeckers and other forest birds are still to be found, the nuthatch also being common in one part. The extensive Wimbledon Common is resorted to by many species; the jay is remarkably common here most years. Farther afield, Epsom Common, Ashtead Woods, and the beautiful rural neighbourhood are the resort of many shy and scarce birds. Then there are Hayes and Keston Commons, where a very pleasant day may be spent by the student of almost any branch of natural history ; owing to the presence of some pine plantations, a few crossbills come here in winter. Still going east, there are, near Plumstead, Abbot Heath Wood and the adjacent heaths; sand martins are common here, breeding in the numerous sand and gravel cuttings. All the foregoing localities are well worthy of a INTRODUCTION. XV visit, or rather of two or three visits, and it should be borne in mind that the birds are far less wary in the early morning than later in the day, when they are more shy, and also go farther afield. H. KS. THE BIRDS OF LONDON. a 1. Turdus viscivorus, Linn. Mistie Taurus. [Resident.]| As a breeding species this is somewhat sparingly distributed over the whole of the rural and suburban districts ; it is rather abundant in Richmond Park and on Wimbledon Common. More common everywhere in winter, arriving about the end of September in company with other thrushes. 2. Turdus musicus, Linn. Sone Turusa. [ Resedent. | A common resident over whole area.! A few inhabit the London parks and gardens. 3. Turdus iliacus, Linn. Repwina. [ October—March.?| Of somewhat general distribu- 1<«*\Whole area” is exclusive of urban district, unless expressly mentioned. * Both inclusive in every case. A 2 THE BIRDS OF LONDON. tion in small numbers during the winter, although I have found it more common along the north side than the south. It is very common about Ilford, and fairly so around Harrow, associating in flocks with the Fieldfare, ete. 4, Turdus pilaris, Linn. FieLprare. [ Mid-September—Mid-April.| Fairly numerous over whole area ; very common in the neighbourhood of Ilford and Romford. It is gregarious in company with other species, but may be easily distinguished by the blue-grey lower back, which is conspicuous in flight. This bird is commonly known as the “ Blue Felt.” 5. Turdus merula, Linn. Buacxsirp. [ Resident.| A very common bird over whole area ; even in most of the London parks. Its numbers are increased in winter by small flocks of migratory birds. 6. Turdus torquatus, Linn. Rive Ovzet. [Spring and autumn migrations.| An occasional visitor during migration. I observed one in Highgate THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 3 woods in September, 1887, and one near Kenton, Harrow, April 13th, 1889. Mr. G. E. H. Barrett- Hamilton (“Harrow Birds,” p. 2) mentions two occurrences near Harrow, in April, 1830, and May 11th, 1838. > Little . —---, Long-eared . —-—, Scops . : ——, Short-eared . ——, Tawn : —, White (Barn) Oxeve, (Great Tit) Oyster-Catcher. Pallas’s Sand Grouse . Partridge, Common —-—, French ——, Red-legged . Pastor, Rose-coloured Peewit aaa Peregrine Falcon . Petrel, Fork-tailed ——, Leach’s so , Storm . Phalarope, Grey Pheasant . ; Pigeon, Wood . Pine Grosbeak . Pintail Duck Pipit, Meadow . ——, Richard’s ——, Rock . ———, Tree... Plover, Golden. ——, Great . ——,Grey .. ——-, Little Ringed ——, Norfolk ——, Ringed Pochar d. 2 Pomatorhine Skua Puffin . Purple Heron Quail . INDEX. Rail, Land ——, Water. . . Rain-Bird (Green pecker) . Raven Redbreast | Red-breasted Gas —— Merganser —— Snipe 3 Red-footed Falcon Red-legged Partridge Redpoll, Lesser _——, Mealy. Red-necked Grebe Red-throated Diver Redshank, Common ——, Spotted Redstart . ~~ ——, Black . Redwing. . . Reed Bunting . —— Sparrow —— Warbler Reeve. Richard’s Pipit Richardson’s Skua Ring-Dove —_— Quzel Ringed Dotterel | —— Plover. obi. 55. oe |Rock Pipit . Rook . see Royston Crow . Ruff | Rough-legged Buzzard ; | Sabine’s Gull Sanderling ; Sand Grouse, Palle s Se Fs Martin. Sandpiper, Bonaparte’ 3. —-—, Common . \Wood- jd Re ee UNS Ll OS OS OS) . . . - ~ C — Ot Sandpiper, Curlew —-—, Green . ——, Spotted ——, Wood . Scarlet Grosbeak . Scaup Duck. Scops Owl Scoter, Common Sea-Pie (Oyster-Catcher) Sea-Swallow (Terns) . Sedge Warbler . Serin . : Shore Lark : Shearwater, Vanx Short-eared Owl Short-toed Lark Shoveller . : Shrike, Great Grey —— , Red- backed . Siskin . Skylark . Skua, Arctic —-—, Richardson’s ——-, Pomatorhine Smew . Snipe, Brown ——, Common . ——, Great . —— ’ Jack ——, Red- breasted ——, Summer Snow Bunting . Song Thrush Sparrow Hawk. ——, Hedge. ——, House. =———, l'ree Spoonbill . : Spotted Crake . Squacco Heron. . Spotted Redshank . Starling . ——, Rose- colour ed Stint, Little. INDEX. PAGE . 108 LT ; 130 eh | Stint, Temminck’s Stock-Dove . Stonechat Stone Curlew Storm Petrel Swan, Mute. Swallow . Swift . ——, Alpine j | Teal 'Temminck’s Stint . Tern, Arctic ee eles ——, Common . ——., Lesser. Them Thicknee. . . Thrush, Mistle. ——, Mistletoe . ——, Song Titlark (Meadow Pipit) Titmouse, Bearded ——, Blue ——, Coal ——, Crested ——, Great. . ——, ; Long- tailed . =, Marsh. Tree Creeper —— Pipit —— Sparrow Tufted Duck Turnstone Turtle Dove. Twite. Two-barred Crossbill. Wagtail, Blue-headed ——, Grey —-—, Pied . ——, White. ——-, Yellow 136 Warbler, Dartford ~~ Garden , Grasshopper . -, Orphean . -—, Reed -, Sedge . , Willow . W ater Ouzel (Mipper ) —w— Hen (Voor Hen) Se = Pel Waxwing Wheatear Whimbrel W hinchat ae White-fronted nace: : White-tailed Eagle Whitetbroat, Common , Lesser. W hace. winged Grosebill : Printed by Cowan & Co., L INDEX. PAGE PAGE 9| Wigeon . >.) = (Ree oe 9 | Wild Duck=s | 73 eas 14| Willow Wren . . .. . 12 8 | Windhover at Pets 3 13| Woodcock . . 103 14] Woodlark . . 54 12, Woodpecker, Great Spotted 58 15|——-, Green. . 57 95 |——-, Lesser Spotted . Mees Do 94| Wood Pigeon . .. . 88 27 | —— Sandpiper . . ig ee ae 3 | —— Wren Sool edit: ee 114) Wren, Fire- ened eS Vale | 2 Goldens crested. . . 10 8] —, Willow "> =3)=eeeeee 69 | ——, Wood . __ (>> =e 7| Wryneck. -. | Sie 7 42 \ Yellow Hammer >) )> 55 Limited, Perth. 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