20 A SHORT IIISTOHV OF THE 



*' interval, conimmiicatioiis were freely kept up among 

 *■• those who had loeen present, as well as with others 

 '' interested in the same study, in order that the dillcrent 

 ''views wliich prevailed on the subject might be compared, 

 ^' and the project thus forwarded. 



"In November 1858, the annual assemblage again took 

 '' place at Cambridge ; and, after due consideration, it was 

 "determined by those present that a Quarterly Magazine of 

 " General Ornithology should be established, that a limited 

 '' subscription should be entered into to provide a fund for 

 " that purpose, and that the subscribers should form an 

 '''Ornithological Union,^ their number at present not 

 " to exceed twenty." 



Although the Preface to the first volume of ' The Ibis,' 

 from which the preceding extracts have been taken, was 

 drawn up by me, and signed by me as Editor of the volume, 

 it was revised aud corrected by Alfred Newton, so that there 

 can be no doubt that he fully approved of it. I believe it to 

 be correct in every respect. 



It has been stated by Dr. Bowdler Sliarpe in his Presi- 

 dential Address to the Fourth International Ornithological 

 Congress that the first meeting of the Founders of ' The 

 Ibis ' took place at Canon Tristram's house at Castle Eden. 

 ]t is quite true that in those days Canon Tristram's house 

 was often used as an agreeable stopping - place by his 

 ornithological friends who were passing by, and that the 

 subject of the establishment of an Ornithological Journal 

 might very naturally have been discussed there. But, so 

 far as I am aware, the early meetings of the Ornithologists 

 which ultimately led to the establishment of ' The Ibis ' 

 all took place at Cambridge, with the exception of one. 

 This one was held at Leeds, Avhere the British Association 

 met in September 1858. An unusual number of Orni- 

 thologists were in attendance at Section D on this occasion, 

 amongst Avhom were Sir William Jardine, Eyton, Simpson, 

 Wolley, Tristram, Griuither, Newton, and myself. The 

 subject of the contemplated Journal of Ornithology was, I 

 believe, discussed on that occasion, but it was resolved to 



