Birds. 475 



monticola, Frankl. ; cf. Hartert, Cat. B., xvi., p. 547]; Rallina formosana, 

 Seebohm [cf. Seebohm, Ibis, 1895, p. 210]. 



Henry Seebohm was one of the most enthusiastic naturalists that ever 

 lived, and one of the best field-ornithologists in his day. He was a succest^ful 

 manufacturer in Sheffield, and devoted his spare time to the study of 

 ornithology, and acquiring the knowledge of the habits of our native birds, 

 which resulted later on in his "History of British Birds" (1883-85). 

 After a recovery from smallpox, he was ordered by his medical adviser to 

 go abroad for a season. The idea of leaving his business was distasteful to 

 him, but the doctor's orders being imperative, he went to the Mediterranean, 

 and did much useful work in Greece and Asia Minor, travelling with the 

 veteran ornithologist. Dr. Kriiper. This was the commencement of a 

 seiies of ornithological expeditions. He went to Norway, Russia, Holland, 

 and Northern Germany. On his expedition to Heligoland in 1876 he 

 asked me to accompany him, and I experienced one of the most exciting 

 and interesting episodes of my life. 



In 1875, Seebohm went to the Petchora Valley in N.E. Kussia in 

 company with his friend J. A. Harvie Brown, and found the eggs of the 

 Grey Plover (Squatarola helvetica), the Little Stint {Limonites minuta), 

 and other rare birds. (See his book "Siberia in Europe," 1880.) In 

 1877, in company with Captain Wiggins, who died but a few months ago , 

 Seebohm departed on his adventurous journey to the Yenesci River, a 

 description ot which is to be found in his work " Siberia in Asia " (1882). 

 When he had made up his mind to publish a work on the Plovers and 

 Snipes and their geographical distribution, finding many questions to be 

 solved regarding their moults and winter quarters, he went to South 

 Africa to study the problems for himself. His heart, however, Avas with 

 the birds of the Pala^arctic Region, and after the purchase of Mr. Harry 

 Pryer's collection of Jaj^anese birds, and sending Mr. Hoist to explore the 

 Japanese islands, he published his book on the " Birds of the Japanese 

 Empire " in 1890. 



Seebohm's intimate acquaintance with the Thrushes, Warblers, and 

 Chats led Dr. Giinther to ask him to write the fifth volume of the 

 " Catalogue of Birds," and his work was excellent. His untimely death 

 prevented him from completing the Monograph of the Thrushes which he 

 had contemplated, and of which he had prepared but a fragment of the 

 text. All the plates, however, were drawn and coloured at the time of 

 his death, and I endeavoured to supply the letterpress as I believe my 

 friend would have written it himself. 



For an obituary notice and an excellent account of his life-work, cf. 

 Ibis, 1896, pp. 159-162. 



Seebohm (E. Victor). 



Son of Henry Seebohm. He was fond ot travelling, and during his 

 various expeditions he collected some interesting birds and eggs for his 

 father's collection. 



Selous (F. Courtenay). 



21 birds from Matabele Land. Presented. [96. 10. 9, 1-21.] 

 16 birds from Potchefstroom, Transvaal. Presented. [99. 6. 26, 1-16.] 

 This well-known traveller and naturalist found time during his 

 expeditions after big Game to collect a few birds for the Museum. 

 Of. ' Who's Who,' 1905, p. 1446. 



