HOWARD SAUNDERS. 201 



but which it was painfully evident would never be accom- 

 plished), he undertook to revise a new edition of my 

 "Bird-life." It may surprise those who have not had 

 personal experience of the labour involved in such publi- 

 cations, that this book underwent no less than five revises 

 on '^slips'' before reaching- the final "paged" form. 

 Yet, ill as he was, every one of these six stages my old 

 friend insisted on supervising- ! Being, moreover, printed 

 in successive sections, it resulted that a single morning's 

 post often brought him three or four different batches 

 of proof from as many different parts of the book, not 

 consecutive — a nice tangle ! His criticisms usually came 

 back by return of post — trenchant, perspicuous and 

 delightfully on the spot. He never spared the rod. 



Living three hundred miles ajDart, it was impossible for 

 me to be in such close personal touch as were many of his 

 colleagues and collaborators in London, and a memoir far 

 worthier of its subject might have been penned by one of 

 these. Though utterly unqualified to do it even a measure 

 of justice, yet I cannot refuse the Editors' request to pay 

 this humble tribute to my dear old friend's unrivalled 

 qualities, alike of heart and head. 



Abel Chapman. 



[Some prints of the portrait accomjjanying this Memoir 

 have been specially prepared in a large size suitable for 

 framing. Full particulars will be found on page 3 of the 

 wrapper.] 



