Ee eadl CuapMan, In Memoriam: Daniel Giraud Elliot. 9 
His last task, the ‘Monograph of the Primates,’ was the greatest 
in size and most important in scientific value of any he had pre- 
viously undertaken. While engaged in its preparation at the 
American Museum, he was one of the first of the scientific staff to 
reach his office, and with only a few minutes’ pause for luncheon 
applied himself continuously to the monotonous labor of compiling 
synonymy and describing specimens. He seemed never to tire in 
either mind or body, but stuck persistently to whatever task he 
had in hand until it was completed.. This ability to concentrate 
for many consecutive hours day after day, was one of Dr. Elliot’s 
prominent characteristics, and goes far to account for the magni- 
tude of his achievements. He was possessed of a phenomenal 
memory and could deliver verbatim an extended written paper with- 
out the aid of manuscript, or could recall with equal accuracy the 
exact language of an impromptu address. His eloquent tribute to 
Selater and his associates delivered before the American Ornitholo- 
gists’ Union at its Congress in New York City, in 1913, was written, 
committed to memory and delivered without the aid of a note, and 
with the fluency and impressiveness which marked Dr. Elliot’s 
public utterances. 
Dr. Elliot was possessed of an exceptionally distinguished 
presence. Tall, and of fine figure, he carried himself with an 
easy erectness which never yielded to the weight of years. To 
strangers he appeared reserved, but this natural dignity of manner 
was merely the shield of a gentle, kindly, sympathetic nature, 
behind which one found a charming and congenial companion. 
His friendships, if slowly made, were enduring. Enemies, he had 
none, and even when his views differed radically from those held 
by others, I do not recall ever hearing him use a harsh or unjust 
word in criticism. 
I was but an infant in ornithology when, in 1887, I first met 
Dr. Elliot at the American Museum; but our mutual interests 
soon bridged the gap separating us in knowledge as well as in 
years, and to my surprise I found that the courtly gentleman who 
at first had inspired in me no small degree of awe, was as fun- 
loving as a boy. Perhaps I may be permitted the relation of one 
personal incident, since it illustrates both Dr. Elhot’s knowledge 
of a family of birds in which he was especially interested, as well 
as his consideration for the errors of his associates. 
