4GG Obituary. 



no means formed the only zoological subject of which he 

 possessed very ample knowledge. From 1838 to the time 

 of his death, Blyth worked incessantly ; and memoirs were 

 contributed by him to different scientific publications, chiefly 

 to the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, The An- 

 nals and Magazine of Natural History, The Proceedings of 

 the Zoological Society, and to this Journal. For twenty -two 

 years prior to the year 1864 he held the position of Curator 

 in the Calcutta Museum, an institution which profited largely 

 by his energy and ability. It was here that Blyth devoted 

 himself to the study of the natural history of British India 

 and its dependencies, the results of which have connected his 

 name so intimately with the zoology of those countries. After 

 his return to England Blyth continued his favourite work with 

 unabated industry, and was at times almost daily to be seen 

 consulting the library of the Zoological Society. At the So- 

 ciety's meetings, too, he was a frequent attendant. 



Blyth's connexion with the British Ornithologists' Union 

 commenced in 18G0, when he was elected one of our original 

 Honorary Members. After his return to England he was made 

 an Extraordinary Member, and so continued to the day of his 

 death. 



All who knew Blyth were struck with his poAvers of memory, 

 and the readiness with which names and references found ex- 

 pression. His suggestions on such points, though not always 

 accurate, were seldom wide of the mark. 



Some of the earlier writings of Blyth, before he took up his 

 residence in Calcutta, were communicated to Rennie's ' Field 

 Naturalist.' It is curious now to look back to them and see 

 how he leant himself to the prevailing epidemic of that period 

 for changing names of birds supposed to be unsuitably applied. 

 Even our most familiar species, such as the Robin, did not 

 escape. It was the mistaken zeal for the fitness and unifor- 

 mity of names, regardless of the consequences, so manifested 

 at this time, which provoked Strickland so energetically and 

 successfully to protest. But the spirit of change which 

 pi'ompted Blyth and others in tliose days is not wholly laid; 

 for ever and anon it reappears in some new form to disturb 



