Below is an extract from R.Bowdler Sharpe’s preface to his book, A Chapter on Birds - Rare British Visitors which was published in 1895 by The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Featured on the front cover is a Red-breasted Flycatcher.
WHEN first I was appointed to the charge of the ornithological collection in the British Museum, the home of that collection was in Bloomsbury where the opportunities of observing birds in a state of nature are, as everyone will admit, not many.
Domestic pigeons are numerous, an occasional Starling can be seen, and, in the neighbouring garden in Russell Square, I have seen Blue Tits in winter.
House Sparrows, of course, abound, and doubtless other birds could occasionally be observed.
One of the most interesting specimens in the British collection is - of all birds - a Kingfisher which was picked up dead in the courtyard of
the old British Museum.
At South Kensington, however, to which the Natural History collections have been removed, quite a respectable assortment of birds visit the gardens attached to the museum in the Cromwell Road.
During the migration-time, Pipits, Wheatears, Siskins, Goldfinches and other small birds stop to rest.
Turtle Doves have been delayed in their southern journey by the gales of autumn, and Kestrels have stayed with us, and, let us hope, have taken toll from the ever-increasing House Sparrows.
In severe weather, Redwings, Fieldfares and Mistle Thrushes have been plentiful, while Woodpigeons, tits and Blackbirds may be considered permanent residents, so that, even in the west of London, many species come under our daily observation.
* Note: The Natural History Museum's ornithological collection is now housed in buildings at Tring in Hertfordshire.
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