Vol XXXIi Elliot, In Memoriam: Philip Lutley Sclater. 5 



I was a member of the Publication Committee. The number of 

 eminent naturahsts present on those evenings was marvellous, 

 and no such body of celebrated men, all members of one Zoological 

 Society had ever before been assembled together, and we may 

 believe it will be a long time before one equal to it will be again 

 seen, for it was the height of zoological activity in the world, when 

 indeed there were giants in the land. Listen to the roll of those 

 meetings so you may know who were the leaders at that time in 

 Europe in the various branches of natural science, and as I call 

 their names, no response comes to my ear, save the sound of the 

 funeral bell tolling for those who have passed away. 



I begin with the ornithologists, some of whom, however were 

 equally great in other branches of science. Philip Lutley Sclater, 

 and Osbcrt Salmi, devoted friends, co-laborers in a large number of 

 most important papers, synopses and volumes treating of the birds 

 of the Neotropical Region. Alfred Newton, steadfast friend and 

 charming companion, who published comparatively little durmg 

 his career but was probably better versed in ornithological lore 

 than any man of his time, and who will be remembered by the 

 Ootheca WoUeyana, and the Dictionary of Birds. John Gould, 

 famous for the great series of splendidly illustrated volumes. 

 Richard Bowdler Sharpe, at that time the Librarian of the Society, 

 but afterward head of the Department of Birds in the British Mu- 

 seum, and whose enduring monument will be that great Catalogue 

 of Birds founded upon the unrivalled collection in that institution. 

 George E. Shelley, author of the Birds of Egypt, Monograph of the 

 Sun Birds, beautiful representatives in their metallic plumage, of 

 our fairy Hummers, and the great work on the Birds of Africa. 

 Lord Lilford known for his beautiful illustrations of British Birds. 

 Henry Seebohm, explorer of the desolate Tundras of far away 

 Siberia, author of " British Birds," " The Charardriidse" and other 

 works. John Henry Gurney, during his life time the great autho- 

 rity on raptorial birds. Henry E. Dresser, author of the great work 

 on the Birds of the western Palaearctic Region, and other works. 

 Henry B. Tristram, Canon of Durham, and whose name brings to 

 our minds the feathered inhabitants of the sacred land of Palestine, 

 deserted and stricken Moab, and the thirst lands lying along and 

 upon the placid waters of the Sea of Death. Edgar Leopold Leyard, 



