JAN PIETEH VAN WICKEVOORT CROMMELIN 131 



until , at the end of a few years , it resulted in total blindness. 



With the aid of an able and trustworthy servant, who, 

 though ignorant of foreign languages, had to read to him 

 the ornithological publications in the different languages , 

 and to assist him in his work , he was able to help him- 

 self even in the most intricate ornithological questions, 

 and acquired in course of time a wonderful aptitude for 

 recognizing his birds by feeling especially the bill and feet. 

 It was very seldom that the slightest aberration escaped 

 him, either in coloration or form. 



Crommelin was not only a thorough student of the birds 

 of his own country, but of general European Ornithology 

 as well. He was, moreover, a man whose knowledge was 

 built on a very broad base. Being very well acquainted 

 with foreign languages, he showed a lively interest in Bo- 

 tany and other branches of Natural Science. His blindness 

 he bore patiently, and his modesty and amiability in con- 

 versation with others were highly esteemed by all who were 

 fortunate enough to belong among the number of his ac- 

 quaintances. 



That his modest work was duly appreciated by his Dutch 

 fellow Zoologists , is clearly proved in a necrology from the 

 pen of his friend Dr. Herman W. de Graaf, published lately 

 in »Tiidschrift der Dierkundige Vereeniging", 1891, p. 81. 



According to his wish , the whole collection of the able 

 Ornithologist was, after his death , presented to the National 

 Museum at Leyden , where it will find its place in a spe- 

 cial gallery as the stock of a separate collection represent- 

 ing the Ornis of the Netherlands, and be a worthy monu- 

 ment to a worthy Dutch Naturalist. 



Leyden Museum, January 1892. 



J. BÜTTIKOFEE. 



Notes from the I-iOyden ÜMuseum, Vol. XJIV. 



