THE OSPREY. 31 



American ornithologists as the best working lexicon in the matter of bird-lore 

 within the reach of the professional ornithologist. 



In his earlier days Professor Newton was a great collector of the eggs of 

 birds, a subject in which, at a very early time, he made himself a great 

 authority. It is said that his private cabinets probably now contain one of 

 the finest and most celebrated collections of the kind in Europe, — that is, one 

 belonging to a private individual. It has been used, or will be used, by a dis- 

 tinguished British colleague in the science, Mr. Henry E. Dresser of London, 

 who is engaged upon a great work devoted to the eggs of the birds of Europe, 

 which, when it appears, will probably be the most substantial contribution to 

 that subject in existence. It will contain a ver}' large number of plates of 

 eggs executed bj' the most modern methods in three-color photography. 



It is many years ago since Professor Newton has visited the United States, 

 and, due to advancing years, it is hardly to be hoped for that he will ever 

 make the journey again, but should he through any fortune do so, he may be 

 well-assured of a most cordial welcome to these shores. When here before, 

 American ornithological science was, comparatively speaking, but a mere 

 stripling; it has passed to maturity since those days, and I am sure we could 

 interest even the most critical in ornithology with our extensive collections of 

 birds, and birds' eggs, in the various museums and other institutions to be 

 found in any of the large cities of the United States. 



Professor Newton is a member of the Royal Society of England, the Zoolog- 

 ical Society, and many other learned organizations in the various parts of the 

 world. He is also an Honorary Member of the American Ornithologists' 

 Union, having in 1883 been among the first placed upon that list. 



Professor Newton was born at Geneva, Switzerland, on the eleventh day 

 of June 1829, and was the fifth son of William Newton of Elveden (formerly 

 Member of Parliament for Ipswich, and Lieut. Col. of West Suffolk Militia) 

 and Eliza, a daughter of Richard Slater Milnes of Frayston, formerly Member 

 of Parliament for York. 



He entered Magdalene College, Cambridge, and graduated as B. A. in 1852, 

 and was afterwards chosen Travelling Fellow of the College, in which capacity 

 he visited Lapland, Iceland, the West Indies, Nortfi America and other 

 countries. 



In 1877 he was again elected a Fellow at Cambridge, having previously, in 

 1864, accompanied Mr. (now Sir) Edward Birkbeck to Spitzbergen. In 1868 

 he brought the subject of Bird Protection before the British Association with 

 marked effect. It eventually led to his being several times elected chairman 

 of the Close Committee, a duty which extended over several years, and durino' 

 which time there were passed the first and third Acts of Bird Protection. 



In his earlier researches. Professor Newton paid especia^ attention to the 



