CHAPTER XI

EAST LONDON

Condition of the East district--Large circular group of open spaces--Hackney Downs and London Fields--Victoria Park with Hackney Common--Smoky atmosphere--Bird life--Lakes--An improvement suggested--Chaffinch fanciers--Hackney Marsh with North and South Mill Fields--Unique character of the Marsh--White House Fishery--The vanished sporting times--Anecdotes--Collection of rare birds--A region of marshes--Wanstead Old Park--Woodland character--Bird life--Heronry and rookery--A suggestion 192