710 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. 



followiug obituary notice in "Nature" for August 25, by Mr. R. Bowdler 

 Sliarpe, senior assistant, Department of Zoology, in the British Museum, 

 well known as an ornithologist of eminence: 



"By Englishmen who knew Professor Baird personally, the loss must 

 be especially felt, but there are many who never had met him in the 

 flesh, to whom the news of his decease must come as that of a dear 

 friend. As one of the latter class we venture to express our sympathy 

 with our scientific brethren in America on the decease of one of their 

 most eminent and respected colleagues. As chief of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, Professor Baird possessed a power of conferring benefits on 

 the world of science exercised by few directors of public museums, and 

 the manner in which he utilized these powers has resulted not only in 

 the wonderful success of the United States National Museum under 

 his direction, but in the enrichment of many other museums which 

 were in friendly intercourse with the Smithsonian Institution. We 

 know by experience that the British Museum is indebted beyond meas- 

 ure to Professor Baird, and we need only to refer to the recent volumes 

 of the ' Catalogue of Birds' to show how much our National Museum 

 owes to the sister museum in America for hearty cooperation. We had 

 only to write and express our wants, and immediately every eftbrt was 

 made, by Professor Baird's instructions, to supply all the desiderata in 

 our ornithological collection, and this without the slightest demand for 

 an equivalent exchange, though, of course, in the case of the British 

 Museum every effort was made to reciprocate the good feeling shown 

 by the great American museum. There must be many i>rivate collect- 

 ors in this country who will endorse our acknowledgments to Professor 

 Baird for the unrivalled liberality which he has always shown in the 

 advancement of the studies of every ornithologist who invoked his aid. 

 - - - We may add that during an experience of twenty years we 

 have never heard from any ornithologist, European or American, a 

 single unkind word concerning Professor Baird, either in his public or 

 private capacity. This is something to say in this age of jealousies and 

 backbitings." 



Indeed, it may with truth be said that so widespread, so nearly uni- 

 versal has been his influence that few there are, if any, among his 

 contemporaries who have not had occasion to record their sense of obli- 

 gation for his aid, his counsel, or his noble example. We all delight 

 to acknowledge him our great teacher, and in doing so do honor to 

 ourselves. 



A very marked trait of Professor Baird's character Avas his aversion 

 to personal controversy, which was so decided that under no circum- 

 stances could he be drawn into one. It was his invariable rule to 

 answer his critics by a dignified silence, no matter how great the provo- 

 cation to reply, or how strong a case his side presented ; and in every 

 instance known to the writer it has transpired that the ground taken or 

 the statements made by Professor Baird have stood the test of time. 

 " One of his striking characteristics was thftt he would never quarrel 



