56
THE BIRDS IN EPPING FOREST.
The London naturalist may now rejoice in the knowledge of
the existence in the Forest district of one of the largest protected
areas for birds in England ; a tract of about 20,000 acres in
which the feathered race (with a few regretable exceptions) may
find a relatively secure habitation. Mr. E. N. Buxton's plans
and objects in the formation of the "Epping Forest Bird Pro-
tection League" were explained by himself at a meeting of the
Essex Field Club in May, 1895 (see E.N., vol. ix., pp. 49-50),
and we have now before us the first Report of the League, dated
February 4th, 1897. It is distinctly encouraging. The Epping
Forest Committee have cordially supported the idea, and we
have reports from the keepers of nine "walks" in the forest
proper, and from keepers in a like number of private estates
surrounding the Forest, noting the presence or absence of the
birds which it is especially desired to protect. The Schedule of
observations is too full of detail to be given here, but it is
exhibited in the Forest Museum at Chingford, and a few extracts
will be of interest :—
Owls appear to be increasing. At Warlies, Barn Owls have been
frequently seen; at Beech Hall they are "fairly plentiful," and greatly
increased at Bishops Hall and Loughton Hall. In the forest almost every
keeper notes that "brown and white owls" have been often seen. It is
unfortunate that considerable indefiniteness as to the particular species
attaches to most of the observations. This also applies to the Hawks; most of
the observers report having seen Kestrels ; a few record Sparrow-hawks, and
at Warlies a pair of Sparrow-hawks brought off three young ones. Some
Magpies have been seen, and in Wanstead Park it is said "two Magpies last
year, now four." Mr. Buxton remarks that they were "exceedingly scarce
before we commenced to protect them—only two or three pairs at the most
being known to exist. We could not therefore expect that many would be
seen after so short a time." Peewits are noted as plentiful on the Roding
Marshes, and at Loughton Hall there was "a large increase." There were
about sixty nests of the Herons in Wanstead Park, and although no decided
increase of the Kingfisher is noted, several were seen, and they nested at
Warlies and at Knighton. The number of Wild Ducks breeding at Wanstead
has greatly increased.
The Epping Forest Committee and the Essex County
Council have applied to the Home Secretary (as noted in our
last number, vol. ix., p. 256) for an Order constituting the whole
of the Forest parishes a protected area against the snaring and
taking of birds by bird-catchers. It is to be hoped that this
application will be granted.