VALEDICTOEY ADDRESS 



BY THE EDITOB. 



Exactly twenty years ago, on the death of the late Edward 

 Newman, who founded 'The Zoologist' in 1843, and edited it 

 until 1876, I undertook at the request of his son, Mr. T. P. 

 Newman, and by desire of many of the contributors, to act as 

 Editor of this Journal. For twenty years I have endeavoured 

 to discharge the duties which thus devolved upon me to the best 

 of my ability, and the task has been made a pleasant one by the 

 cordial support which I have received on all sides from friendly 

 correspondents. Had there been no other occupation for my 

 leisure hours, I would have gladly continued in office, and 

 worked with what energy I possess to carry on the editorship. 

 Increase of years, however, has brought increase of work in 

 other directions, and the demands now made upon my time 

 have shown the desirability, if not the necessity, of relinquishing 

 some portion of the o work in hand. In no other way can I see a 

 prospect of being able to accomplish wbat I have long contem- 

 plated, namely, the publication of new editions of my ' Hand- 

 book of British Birds,' ' The Birds of Middlesex,' * Hints on the 

 Management of Hawks,' and the preparation of an original work 

 on 'British Quadrupeds,' for which I have been collecting 

 material ever since 1874, when the second edition of Bell's 

 standard work was published. 



My first duty being to the learned Society which I have the 

 honour to serve, everything must give place to the official work 



