°G STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
Ornithology.* Of this work, and of its accomplished 
author, a short notice is all that we can give. 
Francis Willughby was a gentleman by birth and 
education, being connected with two noble families 
of that name, the Willughbys of Eresby in Lincoln- 
shire, and the Wolds in Nottinghamshire: he was 
also allied by blood to the earls of Londonderry. 
We introduce these facts to show that science was 
even then not unknown among the aristocracy, and ° 
that young Willughby, although ‘“ endowed with ex- 
cellent gifts and abilities both of body and mind, and 
blessed with a fair estate,” which might have tempted 
him to seek pleasure and honour in the circle of the 
court, had yet such a love for learning, that “ he 
was from his childhood addicted to study, and ever 
since he came to the use of reason so great a hus- 
band of his time, as not to let slip unnoccupied the 
least fragment of it.” That the greatest part if not 
all the original information contained in this admir- 
able volume came solely from the pen of Willughby 
is also proved by the words of his pious editory, 
who thus confesses that the additions made by 
himself were mere compilations from former writers. 
* The Ornithology of Francis Willughby, of Middleton, in 
the County of Warwick, Esquire. In three books. By John 
Ray. 1678. 
+ “ But because Mr. Willughby (though sparing neither 
pains nor cost) could not procure, and, consequently, did not 
describe, all sorts of birds to perfect the work, I have added 
the descriptions and histories of those that were wanting, out 
of Gesner, Aldrovandus, Bellonius, Maregravius, Clusius, Her- 
nandez, Bontius, Wormius, and Piso, disposing each kind, as 
near as I could, in its proper place.” 
