162 _. Notice of British Naturalists. 
of thought, he was unable to take a high stand in the scientific 
world. He died in Cornwall, where he had chiefly resided, about 
1834, at an advanced age. f 
‘In 1802, appeared the “ Ornithological Dictionary,” of that 
most industrious observer and writer, Col. Gecrer MonracvE, of 
Knoule House, Devonshire. We have in vain searched for any 
biographical notice or memoir of him ; and it is much to be de- 
sired, if materials exist, that some account of his active and sci- 
entific life might be given to the public. This work is only upon. 
British birds ; and the plan is well adapted for reference, as he 
threw his materials into the form of an alphabetical catalogue. 
He presents much original information, the greater part of which 
he collected himself. His object was to render the subject popu- 
lar ; and he appears to have written expressly for “ such as might 
wade through columns, before they could find the object of their 
inquiry, but who are desirous of being better acquainted with the 
most beautiful part of the animal creation.” He corresponded 
with the most eminent naturalists of his day. He was the first 
to observe, as British, several birds which had previously beet 
overlooked; among which we remark the Macroramphus gris 
eus,* (Leach.) of the United States and the Ardea lentiginosa, 
(Mont.) which naturalists have hitherto been in the habit of com 
sidering the Ardea minor, ( Wils.) likewise of this country: 
In 1813, Montague published a supplement to his dictiona'y, 
which is nearly as large as the original book. But his great 
work was that on British conchology, “ Testacea Britcnntt, 
or natural history of British shells, marine, land, and Sresh 
water, including the minute, &c,” a quarto volume of upwate 
of six hundred pages, and published in London, in 1803. This 
is an invaluable work. As a describer of shells, he probably 
stands at the head of English writers on the subject; and his 
book is still unsurpassed. He spared neither pains nor expense 
in procuring specimens; and he was enabled both to add many 
new species, and clearly to distinguish between such as had bith 
erto been considered merely as varieties. In 1808, he published 
a supplement, in which many new species are given. He fol- 
lows in general, the Linnean arrangement, but has made one new 
Re ne 
* Scolopax Novoborocensis, (Wils.)—Eps. 
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