i860] Projecting a " Bird Cybele." 127 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



PROJECTING A " BIRD CYBELE." 



[1860.] 



HE was now embarked on a new project which, after years 

 of work, he brought to a successful issue the application 

 of Watson's system to the birds. The idea of it was first 

 broached in the course of a letter to Mr. Newton, written 

 on March 3ist, 1860 shortly after he had received for 

 review the first volume of the " Ibis." 



MY DEAR NEWTON The critic commences his task upon the title- 

 page. How would not your motto* be improved by removing" the word 

 ' sacram? which, from its placing, weakens the line. I hope it was not 

 a Rugby man wrote it, as we were never allowed to use adjectives at 

 the end of a hexameter ; far less to spoil a terse couplet with another 

 needless adjective incolumes. How do you know you would be safe in 

 Egypt under the mighty bird ? And, why not rather leave out the brag? 

 and say, " where flies the bird, there follow must we"; and don't 

 forget the fine old practice of augury: those " oicavoiro\uv ox apiffroi" 

 were sure the fathers and founders of the noble craft. Give them their 

 due. How do you like my version ? 



Ibimus, augurium venerantes Ibidis : illuc 

 Ibis ubi ducit pergit et augur iter. 



Ibis ubi dux est et eodem pergit haruspex : 

 Ibis, et est nobis quisque sequendus avis. 



Or would ovum come in for the " eggers," thus 



Est rafiiendum ovum> quisque sequendus avis. 



You will not fail to observe this is all a little exuberance of chaff 

 caused by the delight at having the worthy bird under my survey. 

 Now to business. You have indeed discussed capitally the egg- 

 question ; and of course taken as a scientific study it is absolutely 

 essential, quite fundamental ; but do tell me why you attach any 

 higher interest to finding the nesting-haunts of such birds as have, 

 once or twice, alighted in England than in hunting up any other 



Ibimus indomiti venerantes Ibida sacram : 

 Ibimus incolumes qua prior Ibis adest. 



