IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 283 



We all know how the wise king who found, in the suite 

 of his Royal consort, a little maiden who could spin golden 

 thread out of flax, wisely took care, despite his spouse's opposi- 

 tion, that no other service should thenceforth be required from 

 this fairy's favourite but gold spinning, and how ultimately, 

 when the old queen died, he married her. 



But the moral which lies within the clear depths of this old 

 legend, that nations and their special representative bodies, 

 finding exceptional men, qualified by natural gifts and special 

 training for special work of a high order, should, despite all red- 

 tape opposition, utilize them for this, and this only, taking care 

 that their time, energies, and talents are not frittered away on 

 inferior work, and that thus, in the long run, their own names 

 become iudissolubly united in the roll of fame with those of the 

 men whose genius they have enfranchised, is still hidden, it 

 would seem, from the comprehension of even the so-called most 

 highly-civilized communities. 



It remains. to be seen whether the Trustees of the British 

 Museum will be content to dawdle on super antiquas vias, ob- 

 livious of the spirit of the trust confided in them, or whether 

 they will combine in a vigorous effort to do their duty 

 by the nation ; and either by extracting an extra grant 

 from the treasury, or by a better administration of their 

 finances, or by raising a public subscription, provide for 

 Mr. Sharpe, and other good men at the museum, that ample addi- 

 tional assistance which is essential to secure to the country, and 

 the world, the fullest advantage from their labours and from the 

 collections under their charge. 



A. 0. H. 



gstolir, a summer Cruise in \\i §\\\i of ©man. 



By Captain E. A. Butler, H. M's. 83rd Regiment. 

 On the 13th May this year (1877), at my friend the Editor's 

 request, * I left Kurrachee iu the Telegraph Steamer Amber- 

 zvitc/i, commanded by Captain Stiffe, and proceeded up the 

 Mekran Coast in quest of the eggs of Sterna bergii, and any 

 other species of sea bird that might be found breeding on the 

 island of Astola. 



* Ever since my own trip to Sind and cruise in the Gulf of Oman, I have been en- 

 deavouring to arrange for the visit of some competent ornithologist to Astola during 

 the breeding season. Several schemes were devised, but all fell through, though last 

 year as mentioned, S. F., IV , 473, through the kindness of Captain Wise and Mr. Ffinch 

 of the Telegraph Department, a native boat was sent there and 3,t00 eggs of Sterna 

 bergii brought back thence, of which unfortunately only 25 were preserved ! 



This year, with the transfer of my friend Captain Butler to Kurrachee, our prospects 

 brightened. The Chief Commissioner, Sir. W. Merewether, who is now, I regret to hear, 

 about to leave us, and to whose kindness and assistance I have in past times owed 



