444 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



energy he set himself to carry it out. By his personal influence 

 and the liberality of his personal friends he was enabled to see 

 the new building begun in 1880. In 1881 he presented his 

 entire collection of British birds to the Museum, and -in August, 

 1884, he had the satisfaction of seeing the new Museum opened 

 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, in the presence of a brilliant 

 assemblage, and had the pleasure of receiving their warm con- 

 gratulations on the success of his labours. 



Twenty-seven years, alas ! have passed away since we first 

 saw John Hancock, and commenced an acquaintance and a 

 correspondence which will ever be remembered with pleasure. 

 In the month of May, 1863, a month which will always be 

 memorable from the impressions then received of Tyneside and 

 Coquetdale scenery, of Chillingham Castle, a visit to the Fame 

 Islands with Kobert Embleton, of Beadnell, and last, but not 

 least, a visit to Selby's famous collection of birds preserved at 

 Twizell House, near Belford, we left the north country moors, and 

 the coast by North Sunderland and Dunstanburgh Castle, to spend 

 a few days in the busy, smoky town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

 Strolling up to St. Mary's Terrace, we knocked at the door of No. 4, 

 where Hancock resided, and surprised him, characteristically, in 

 the act of skinning a Sand Grouse ! 



It will be remembered that 1863 was the year of the first 

 great visitation of this remarkable bird to the British Islands, 

 and more than a score had been killed in different parts of the 

 Tyneside district. Three were shot out of a flock of twelve or 

 fourteen near Thropton, on the Coquet, on May 21st, and two of 

 these were in process of being preserved by Hancock at the time 

 of our visit on May 23rd.* Our meeting was a very cordial one, 

 for we had many mutual friends in the north country, and although 

 first visits are usually brief and formal, we found so much to talk 

 about, that the interview which commenced at ten o'clock in the 

 morning was only terminated at 6 p.m. by the recollection of a 

 dinner-engagement at Benwell, where in an hour's time we were 

 destined to meet again. Several hours that day had been devoted 

 tu ?n inspection of the Museum, then at the old house in Westgate 

 Street, and we shall never forget the animation with which 

 Hancock discussed the question of the races of Northern 



* See Trans. Tyneside Nat. Field Club, vol. vi. (1803— 04,) pp. 100—103, 



