BY THE PRESIDENT. 179 



on the branches. Many trees two feet in diameter were broken off 

 at no groat distance from the ground, and tlve branches of many of 

 the lowest had given way." The wliole of this description, I need 

 not say, is grossly exaggerated. Whatever the boughs might do, 

 it is evident that the trunks of the trees could not be broken down 

 by the weight of any amount of pigeons. There follows an absurd 

 account of the assemblage of men with guns, and of wild animals 

 of every description, who combine, in happy partnership, to 

 destroy the wretched birds. 



Referring to illustrated books on ornithology, I should mention 

 Gould's magnificent book, lately completed. It is a very grand 

 work, and an expensive one. I took it in for some years, but 

 eventually gave it up, apprehending that it would either never be 

 finished, or that, if it were, I should not have room in my small 

 house for it. Gould's nomenclature is most objectionable. He 

 seems to adopt the longest and most meaningless terms he can lay 

 hold of, for no other reason than that they are long and meaning- 

 less. Why, for instance, should the redpole be called '■'■ ^(jroplim,^'' 

 or the siskin " Chrysomptris " ? The words are neither Latin nor 

 Greek, nor do they convey any meaning. Gould, however, was no 

 classic, as is shown by his designating the jay by two adjectives, 

 ** Garruhis glandariusP 



Tarrell's work is, or ought to be, in every library whose owner 

 is a student of ornithology. It is the best book of reference 

 extant, but Yarrell could hardly be called a naturalist, as, whatever 

 his inclination, he had no opportuntity of observation, and you will 

 find that his statements are invariably made on the authority of 

 others. 



There are numberless names which occur to me on which I 

 would fain dwell, but time will not allow me to do so. One 

 more reference and I bring this already too long and, I fear, tedious 

 record to an end. It is to my late friend Frank Buckland — kind- 

 hearted, genial, impulsive Frank Buckland. No more zealous, 

 truth-loving, or painstaking man ever studied more earnestly or 

 described more accurately the various gifts and instincts, the nature 

 and habits of birds and beasts. A quaint vein of humour runs 

 through his writings which must commend them to every reader, 

 especially to the young ; and few writers have conveyed more 

 varied and useful information. His conversation, which generally 

 tiirned upon subjects connected with his favourite study, was 

 equally animated, insti-uctive, and amusing. Who that knew him 

 has ever forgotten his hearty, jocund laugh, and the half comic 

 earnestness with which he enforced his favourite dogmas. Buck- 



