%^i^'-] "The Times" on John Gould. 119 



sale somewhat problematical. Mr. Gould pursued his onerous 

 task with an intensity of purpose which resulted in complete 

 success. The Birds of Europe was brought to a close in August, 

 1837. Notwithstanding the costly nature of such a publication, 

 which neces.sarily limited its sale to the more wealthy promoters 

 and lovers of ornithological science, and to the great scientific 

 institutions of our own country and the continent, its reception 

 eciualled his most sanguine ho])es, and its spirited and able auth(;r 

 had the happiness to hnd his labours not unrewarded. It must 

 be borne in mind that at least in some countries the splendid 

 publications of science which have appeared are due to the 

 liberality of Government. Here, on the contrary, we are pre- 

 sented with a magnificent work, unequalled in beauty, fidelity, 

 and completeness, resulting from the enterprise of an ornith- 

 ologist looking to himself and depending on his unassisted 

 exertions. "Detous les ouvrages de luxe," says M. Temminck. 



" Avec planches coloriees d'oiseaux, iln'en estaucun qui puisse rivaliser 

 avec I'immense et brillante entreprise d'une iconographie complete des 

 oiseaux d'Europe dont s'occupe en ce moment M. Gould a Londres. The 

 Birds of Europe sont d'un fini si parfait, tant pour le dessin, la pose et 

 i'exacte verite de I'enluminure, qu'on pourrait, avec de si beaux portraits, 

 se passer des originaux montes ; le plus grand nombre des figures sont 

 dessinees sur le vivant ; on y voit reunis les deux sexes, souvent le jeune, 

 et toujours les differens etats de mue periodique. Le texte est une 

 compilation faite avec critique et discernement. " 



Mr. Gould's well-merited fame as a scientific ornithologist, in 

 whose hands the pencil mimicked life, was by common consent 

 established, and he might without blame have closed his arduous 

 lab(nu-s with the close of his Birds of Europe; but undeterred 

 by risk, his energetic mind urged him still onward to other and 

 even more formidable attempts. While yet the Birds of Europe 

 was in progress of publication, in 183v3, he commenced a Mono- 

 </raph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans and .Iracaris, 

 a group of birds peculiar to South America, remarkable for the 

 size of their painted beaks and the richness and contrast of the 

 colours which adorn their plumage. This Monograph comprised 

 33 species of this singular race of birds, most of which were new 

 to science, and originally described by Mr. Gould in the Pro- 

 ceedings of the Zoological Society. Within the last few years 

 further accessions of new species have been received, and upon 

 these Mr. Gould is at work, preparing additional plates and 

 descriptive letterj)ress, by way of an addition to, or completion 

 of, the work. The deep black abruptly cut up by bands or 

 patches of scarlet and yellow, which characterises the plumage 

 of the Toucans, and the olive green tints which prevail in their 

 allies, the Aracaris, are most artistically managed, while the 

 attitudes of the birds themselves are as spirited as truthful. The 

 scientific importance of this Monograph is greatly enhanced by 

 a beautiful and delicately executed lithograph rendering mani- 

 fest the cellular texture of the inside of the large yet light beak, 

 the course of the olfactory nerves, etc., from a dissection by 

 Professor Owen. The long feathery tongue is well displayed. 



