XLIX 



In Memóriám. 



The Correspondence between the celebrated Engbsh Ornithologist Alfred Newton, M. A., F. R. S., F. Z. S., 



Hon. Member of the R. H. C. B 0., Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge, born June 11, 



1K29, died June 7, ÜI07, and Otto Herman, Director of the R. H. C. B. 0. 



Preface. 



Ill professor Alfred Newton his coiiteiuporaries revered, almost without envy, the Englisli 

 scientific ornithologist who rendered really significant service to this interesting branch of 

 science, not only as a specialist on the descriptive side, but also as an historian, by his 

 History of Ornitholngy, published in vol. XVIII. of the 9th edition of that great work of 

 reference the: ^Encyclojiaedia Bntannica'". This volume appeared in 1885, in wchich the 

 second article is „Ornithology". 



The article begins with the Etymology of the words opvi': and Xo^oç; the development 

 of the subject-matter itself begins with the explanation of a picture of six wild geese, to 

 be seen on a fresco upon an old Egyptian tomb in Maydoom — now preserved in the 

 Museum at Boolak — , dating about 3000 years B. C, in which two still extant species of 

 wild geese, Anser albifrons and Anser ruficoUis may be discerned. 



Then follows father Aristotle 385 B. C; and after him Caius Plinius Secundus, gener- 

 ally known as Pliny the elder ; then comes Aelian. From the middle ages Albertus Magnós, 

 who died in 1282, after him Johannes de Cuba (Wonneke von Caub), then William Turner, 

 Gybertus Longolius and Caius ; finally Gesner with his „História Animalium qui est de Auiuni 

 natura" are quoted. 



And thus it proceeds step by step witli the greatest erudition and clearness, through the 

 whole development of Ornithology, till the latest times, in a manner worthy of the man who 

 in the interests of the propagation of truth occupied one of the foremost chairs. 



That in which, however, Professor Nkwton excelled above all, was his great zeal in render- 

 ing good services to others, in giving them definite information and explanation and in 

 recognising also the achievements of others. 



With Professor Newton there was not the least trace of the „insular spirit" character- 

 istic of so many Englishmen which manifests itself most strongly through a certain lack 

 of communicativeness and sometimes through exclusiveness, even in scientific matters which 

 is often due, it is true, to not knowing more than one language. Professor Newton could read 

 the languages of the cultured nations. In the last period of his life, we must specially 

 emphasise upon the case of „Naumann", viz: that when the German ornithologists were 

 celebrating the memory of Naumann, Professor Newton wrote an article in the English paper 

 „Nature" in which he said that at a time when Naumann's great classical work had long 

 been published, English ornithologists liad scarcely any acquaintance with it. Of the spirit 

 of exclusiveness and inconceivable conservatism, which e. g. is manifested by the consistent 

 rejection of the decimal system, Newton possessed nothing. 



At the time of the 2nd International Ornithological Congress, Prof. Newton immediately 

 placed a contribution at its disjjosal — and when the Hungarian Ornithological Centrale 

 started and prospered so far as to be able to take a survey of English works of reference, 

 often very difficult of access, my faitliful oM friend Dr. Otto Finsch recommended me to 

 apply to Prof. Newton, who would certainly give advice ; and he assisted with both advice 

 and action. 



Till 1905 our intercourse was limited to parcels and acknowledgments, as that in the 

 French language of Feb. 17, 1896. 



Directly before the 4th International Congress in London 1905, I sent Prof. Newton my 

 „Recensio critica &c " and „The Method &c." written for the Congress, whereupon I received 



Aquila XVI. VII 



