EPPING FOREST.
ITS BIRDS.
" The nightingale, of birds most choice,
To do her best shall strain her voice :
And to this bird, to make a set,
The mavis, merle, and robinet,
The lark, the linnet, and the thrush,
That make a choir in every bush."—Drayton.
Many kinds of birds are observed in Epping
Forest. Formerly they suffered much at the
hands of bird-catchers, who caught great numbers
with clap-nets and other devices. ' This is happily
now prohibited by the conservator's bye-laws, which
are well enforced. The following notes are the
result of the observations of several naturalists in
the neighbourhood.
Peregrine Falcon. A pair of these birds were killed some
years ago on the Copped Hall estate.
Sparrow Hawk. Frequently seen throughout the Forest.
Is destructive to game and small birds.
Hobby. A pair of these beautiful but rare summer visitants
nested for two years—1846-47. After being disturbed,
they nested on the Hill Hall estate, and brought off their
young.
Kestrel. Common. Seen hovering or gliding over the open
ground. Feeds chiefly on mice and such small game.
Common Buzzard. Has been seen several times during the
last few years.
Rough-legged Buzzard. A pair of these birds killed some
years ago at Epping were presented by the late Mr.