In spite of its situation in a densely-populated district, the feathered tribes have not quite deserted the Park, The moor-hen builds by the lake and the ringdove nests in the trees. Though the greenfinch and the wren have vanished, some songsters still gladden the world. Blackbirds, thrushes, and chaffinches are by no means uncommon. Some of these latter get caught, and take part in the popular amusement of singing-matches. Many men in the district keep chaffinches in cages, and bring them to the Park on a Sunday morning that they may practise their notes in chorus with their wild associates, and so beat the caged bird of some rival. Sometimes the temptation is too great, and the wild birds are kidnapped to join the competition.
