PREFACE. XVU 



the neighbouring towns and villages availed itself largely 

 of this privilege — a privilege that year by year, through 

 the increase of his bodily infirmities, the owner of all 

 became less and less capable of enjoying. Yet w^hen- 

 ever, and as often as, he could, he would be drawn in 

 his wheeled chair to one after the other of the cages or 

 pens, taking the closest interest in the individual 

 history of each denizen, and shewing that personal 

 knowledge of each that only belongs to those who have 

 a natural love of living animals. 



In the earlier years of his presiding over the British 

 Ornithologists' Union, and when that body was com- 

 paratively small in number, not only was Lord Lilford 

 the friend of almost each member, but all were welcome 

 at '* The Den," as he termed some rooms he occupied 

 in London, and especially on the evenings of the Scientific 

 Meetings of the Zoological Society, when most of the 

 ornithologists present would adjourn to No. 6 Tenterden 

 Street, and there talk over their achievements and 

 their prospects, and generally cultivate one another's 

 friendship. That these gatherings greatly promoted 

 the harmonious feeling which then prevailed among 

 British ornithologists is unquestionable, and their dis- 

 continuance, owing chiefly to his inability to be present, 

 was much to be regretted. For several years he was 

 compelled to pass the winter at Bournemouth, and after 

 that he was never able to leave Lilford ; but wherever 

 he was he exhibited the same patience under his afflic- 

 tion and the same kindly consideration for his friends 



b 



