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 Conservators' bye-laws, which
are well enforced. Bird-catching is also now pro-
hibited throughout the year under an order of the
Home Office over a considerable area surrounding
the Forest. 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. Though abhorred
by the gamekeeper, I hope it will continue to be preserved
on some of the estates adjoining the Forest. On the Forest
itself it of course enjoys immunity from persecution.
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. Not uncommon. Seen hovering or gliding over
the open ground. Feeds chiefly on mice and such small
game. Nearly the whole of the proprietors round the
Forest have agreed to protect this bird, which does little
harm and much good.
Merlin. Reported to have been seen recently in Loughton
Parish.
Common Buzzard. Has been seen several times during the
last few years.