INTKODtrCTION. 



means literally a discourse on birds; so an ornithologist is one 

 who studies the nature and habits of the feathered creatures; and 

 the names we have just mentioned are among the most cele- 

 brated of those who have done this, although they have not 

 confined themselves to this department of animated nature, as 

 some others in a great measure have; among these may be 

 mentioned 



ME. JOHN GOULD, 



of whom, as his name is intimately connected with the beautiful 

 family of birds which it is the object of this volume to describe, 

 we give a brief memoir. 



This distinguished naturalist was born at the little town of 

 Lynn, in Dorsetshire, on the 14th. of September, 1804. At an 

 early age he manifested a strong desire for the study of nature, 

 which led to his being placed, when about fourteen years old, 

 under the care of one who had the superintendence of the Koyal 

 gardens at Windsor. Here he remained until his twentieth j'ear, 

 adding a taste for botany and floriculture to his previous bent 

 for natural history. About this time might be observed, as a 

 writer in "Dickens' Household Words" tells us, "A young man 

 whose 'daily walks and ancient neighbourhood' were by the quiet 

 creeks that branch from the Thames, near Eton, or on the 

 verge of an adjacent forest. He is sometimes apparently idle, 

 lying under the willow branches in a little boat, with a book on 

 his knee and a gun by his side. There is a well-known sound, 

 and the gun is cocked. The Kingfisher has darted upon his finny 

 prey, falling into the stream like a lump of lead. As he rises 

 with the minnow, and his orange breast and green blue tail glitter 

 in the evening sun, his flight is ended. In a few days he is 

 stuffed, sitting on the pendant bough, ready for the plunge. The 

 unscientific bird-stuffers are amazed that there can be life in 

 death. 



In process of time this young man has made a cons' derable 

 collection. _ He is the possessor of a few books of zoology, but 

 most especially does "Bewick's Birds" delight him. He earnestly 

 longs to become a scientific naturalist, to attain to something more 

 than mere mechanical skill, for which he has gained a reputation. 

 The opportunity arises. He leaves his native town, being engaged 

 by the Zoological Society in the preparation of specimens for 

 their museum. He marries. His wife has a remarkable talent 

 for delineating objects of natural history with accuracy and taste. 

 They publish a beautiful example of their joint ability; he as a 

 scientific author, she as an accomplished artist, in a description 

 and delineation of one hundred different species of birds, which 



