56 LORD LILFORD 



by bad weather, fatigue, or sickness, the same 

 series of papers reveals in many a passage that 

 delicate and admirable humour which so 

 markedly distinguished him.' 



After a lively picnic (February 16, 1857), in 

 the neighbourhood of Corfu, he writes in his 

 diary of the scenery, ' Far too beautiful for me to 

 attempt to describe, while one cannot be thank- 

 ful enough to have been allowed to enjoy such 

 air, and such beauty, in very pleasant company.' 

 But neither the beautiful scenery, nor the 

 pleasant company, prevented his careful notice 

 of all the birds within sight. 



Professor Newton has kindly allowed me to 

 make use of the following letters, which show 

 how little Oxford examinations or the advent 

 of the Crimean war could interfere with my 

 brother's love of natural history : 



From Hon. Thomas L. Poivijs to 

 Alfred Newton. 



' December 10, 1852. 



' Sir, — May I ask you whether you have ever 

 noticed a disease incident to the eyes of owls in 



