276 THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS IN ESSEX.
No public report has yet been issued of the last year's work
of the "Epping Forest Bird Protection League," but Mr.
Buxton has kindly put into our hands some returns from the
keepers and others which show that the protection continues to
bear fruit. The objects of the League and the results of its
operations up to February, 1897, were summarised in these
pages (see E. N., vol. IX., pp. 49-50, and vol. X., pp. 56-57).
The order constituting all the forest parishes a "Protected
Area" under the Act of 1896 (see E.N., vol. X., p. 135) appears
to be working well in stopping the London bird-catchers, but
with regard to some of the districts outside the actual forest Mr.
Buxton complains that the police are rather remiss in using their
powers. Wanstead Park, owing to its extensive ponds and
sheltered islands, is of increasing importance as a refuge for
aquatic birds from the valleys of the Thames, Lea, and Roding.
Wild ducks have greatly increased and the keeper is very keen
about their preservation. The Heronry, which is an object of
great interest to visitors, is noticed in Mr. Buxton's communica-
tion in the "Notes" in the present part. The following are
some specific details from the observations of the keepers, and
some gentlemen who are members of the League :—
Owls. All speak of having seen these, sometimes in increased numbers.
The Brown Owl is noted as being more plentiful in Monk Woods. Mr.
Buxton, a short time since, saw three Brown Owls together in the Forest,
surrounded by a mob of jays, a sight which he had not noticed for some
years.
Hawks. The Kestrel is apparently increasing, but there is some ambig-
uity in the reports. Most of the keepers distinguish between "Kestrels" and
"Hovering Hawks" and it is a little doubtful what some of them mean by
these terms. Sparrow Hawk. This bird is reported as being occasionally seen.
One pair nested near Ambresbury Banks, and there were two nests at
"Warlies," Waltham Abbey. In some parts it is feared that game-keepers
still carry on an ignorant warfare against the Kestrels. Magpies have become
exceedingly scarce, only three keepers having noted them ; one pair nested at
"Warlies," and two were seen in Organ Bane, Chingford. Kingfisher.
Occasionally seen ; a pair at Wake Valley Bond ; at "Warlies" it probably
nested, as young birds were seen. Mr. T. F. V. Buxton reports that the
"Spotted Woodpecker " nested at "Warlies."
We can hardly expect the hawks and larger birds to return
and multiply very rapidly. Very many smaller birds are
certainly more common. Bullfinches and Hawfinches are plentiful,
and it is reported that a Mr. Cooper saw five Goldfinches on
thistles in Hawk Wood. Every lover of birds would desire to
see this beautiful species again plentiful in the forest districts.