Obituary. 293 



and his chief books of reference were Brehm'a ' Lehrbuch 

 der Vogel Europas/ and the great work of the two Nau- 

 manns, father and son, ' Naturgeschichte der Vogel Deutsch- 

 lands/ a book which he constantly used and referred to in 

 his writings. From this year (1874) many eminent orni- 

 thologists visited Heligoland and made the acquaintance 

 of Herr Gatke and his unique collections of migratory 

 birds, butterflies, and moths. Several English friends who 

 sympathized with his work sent over some of the best 

 English literature connected with ornithology. Nor was 

 the American brotherhood backward ; so in time he became 

 possessed of an excellent working library, which was of much 

 use and value in helping him to complete his book. 



Gatke spoke and wrote English perfectly, and for twenty- 

 two years kept a regular correspondence and interchange 

 of notes on migration with the writer. His last letter is 

 dated December 20th, 1895, and briefly conveys Christmas 

 greetings, concluding with regrets that he is not longer able 

 to hold the pen in his feeble hands. His letters, like his 

 book, are full of beautifully -expressed thoughts and word- 

 paintings in connection with his favourite subjects, while 

 the occasional pen-and-ink sketches all indicate the skilful 

 artist. He was always ready and willing to impart his 

 knowledge, and never weary of talking about his charming 

 little visitors, the pilgrims over that great mysterious 

 Zugstrasse. How well we recollect the delight with which 

 the veteran naturalist at our last visit pointed out the recent 

 specimens added to his collection, ranged all round the walls 

 of his large, well-lighted studio, and then, stepping out into 

 the pretty garden, famed for its roses, he pointed out the 

 spots where some of his chief treasures had appeared. " On 

 that pole Emberiza rustica perched ; near there I caught my 

 beautiful male E. pityornis ; to the right of that highest 

 willow, Tardus varius and T. fuscatus ; Emberiza melano- 

 cephalu 1 have repeatedly shot with my walking-stick gun ; 

 E. luteola, Phylloscopus nitidus, P. fuscatus, P. viridanus, 

 P. super ciliosus, and P. tristis, all within a very limited 

 space." The kind owner of this treasure-plot never tired of 



SER. VII. VOL. III. X 



