THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS IN ESSEX. 11
confused and confusing. We hope to live to see all wild birds
protected, but failing that logical outcome of the idea of protection,
a step in the right direction would be made by scheduling those
birds that are outside the pale of protection, not those that are
within it. This is the right principle, and if it were adopted, the
comprehension of and obedience to the law would be more
wide-spread, while the legal enforcement of the orders would be
greatly facilitated.
In continuation of the reports on the birds of Epping
Forest and district given ou former occasions (see E.N. vol. x., pp.
56-57, and pp. 276-7), Mr. Buxton has placed in our hands
some letters from keepers and others sent to him in March last,
which confirm the favourable impression of the effects of the
protection now afforded to the birds there imparted by previous
accounts. A few paragraphs from the letters may be quoted :—
Hawks.—The observers do not distinguish the species, but speak in
general terms; they probably mean Kestrels. The keeper in Theydon
district says, "two couple nest every year in the oaks in Thames Valley."
Two other keepers in the Epping district report an increase ; at Bishops Hall
Estate the keeper reports a large increase ; at Waltham the report is "plenty
of hawks"; at Chingford an observer says that he has seen a few hawks,
"about the same number that I used to see in old days." At Woodreddon
two were seen. Sparrow-hawks breed in Knighton and Gaunts Wood,
Theydon, and they have been noticed at Ilford and elsewhere.
Owls.—The opinion appears to be general that these are increasing. The
Theydon keeper writes, "I frequently sea them in the large hollies in Epping
Thicks." From High Beach comes the report that they have "increased in
the neighbourhood of Fairmead High Woods, and on Mr. Baring's estate.
I have heard as many as four hooting at one time on two occasions. I saw a
pair of large White Owls on Aims-House Plain in the day time."
Magpie.—There are but few notes of these. As Mr. Russell remarks,
they are rarely seen on the forest, but are occasionally noticed at Wanstead,
in Loughton Manor, at Bishops Hall, and more frequently at Warlies and
Monkhams, near Waltham. Mr. Colvin's keeper (Waltham), complains that
there are "too many Magpies" ! The keeper at Copped Hall reports having
seen four together in April. At Loughton "we have two or three Magpies,
and I have not seen any [? previously] for some years." Bishops Hall keeper
reports "Magpies very scarce here ; I saw two about fourteen days back."
Peewits.—Most of the letters report an increase. The observant
Theydon keeper says that they appear more plentiful. "A large
quantity of them as well as the 'Golden Plover' ware on the meadow
land between Theydon Bois and Epping all the early part of the winter."
From Epping comes the report, "Peewits are very plentiful this way" ;
Bishops Hall, "Peewits are more numerous than formerly." At Loughton,
"Peewits are most abundant."