GARDEN LISTS OF BIRDS.
By the Rev. Murray A. Mathew, M.A., F.L.S.
Much might be ascertained concerning the distribution of our British Birds, of which we are still very far from possessing a full knowledge, by close observation of them for a series of years in such limited areas as are provided by the gardens and pleasure grounds immediately surrounding our houses, if lists were kept of all the species seen, not only of those that constantly occur and nest, and of all occasional visitors, but even of those that are identified flying over, with dates and other particulars. These lists should be headed with a description of the environments, whether wood and copse, or meadow and pasture, &c, with the elevation above the sea, how far distant from water in the form of brooks, rivers, and ponds, or from the nearest point of the coast, arm of the sea, or tidal river, which might be expected to be a flight-line of migrating birds. If carefully kept, such lists would prove of great service for exchange or comparison, and might be forwarded to ornithological correspondents in other parts of the kingdom, who could send their own in return. Having kept such lists for the last thirty years in the three different homes which I have occupied in succession, each for nearly an equal term, and each surrounded by about the same extent of garden, it would appear from them that any observer in a similar area might expect to be able to record at least seventy species of our British Birds as visiting it; while, if he lived near to a tidal river or to a large wood, he might count upon a considerable addition to that number. In submitting my own lists, I am hoping to encourage the rising generation of bird lovers, and can assure them that the patient watchfulness requisite for their compilation will afford much pleasure and interest. Of course the greatest accuracy must be aimed at, and no species be entered unless its identification be complete. Even now, it is with a keen feeling of delight that I return to my house to note
