164 
MEMOIR OF THE LATE JOHN HENRY GURNEY. 
intended to follow, owing to his failing health was never seriously 
taken in hand, although 1 believe all the materials were available. 
Mr. Gurney was also author of a very useful, though popular, 
‘Sketch of the Collection of the Raptorial Birds in the Norwich 
Museum,’ intended as a guide to the collection. In addition to 
these he edited a volume of ‘ Notes on the Birds of Damara 
Land,’ by the late Charles John Andersson. 
In 1852 Mr. Gurney delivered a course of Lectures on “ Orni- 
thology ” in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, which was largely 
attended, and greatly stimulated the study of his favourite science 
in the county. Other lectures were given on the “ Zoology of 
Ancient Egypt,” at Lynn ; “ A stroll through the Zoological 
Gardens,” at Lowestoft ; “ On the Birds of Prey,” and “ On the 
races of animals allied to the Ox,” the last two at Norwich. The 
writer Avell remembers the lectures of 1852, and Mr. Gurney’s very 
lucid and pleasing style, and evident extensive acquaintance with 
his subject, which was profusely illustrated by specimens from the 
Museum and elsewhere, made a great impression on him at the time. 
Such is a brief but? very incomplete account of Mr. Gurney’s 
literary work, of which it has been truly said by the author of the 
obituary notice in ‘ The Ibis ’ that, “ as he never wrote for writing’s 
sake, and related what he had to state in the simple and precise 
terms which prove the true man of science, his contributions may 
have sometimes seemed dull compared with the brilliant essays 
and daring speculations that this Journal occasionally contains 
from other pens ; but no attentive reader can fail to discern the 
solid foundation on which Gurney’s work rests, and the probability, 
if not the certainty, of its being consulted and found useful, when 
theoretical treatises have passed out of mind” (‘The Ibis,’ July, 
1890, p. 395). 
Of Mr. Gurney’s extensive acquaintance with almost every 
branch of zoological science the present writer can speak from 
personal knowledge ; and of the generosity with which he placed 
his vast fund of information at the service of those who sought 
his help lie has had abundant experience. Whether on birds, 
beasts, or fishes, Mr. Gurney was a safe authority, and it is with 
the deepest sense of gratitude for past help and friendly criticism, 
on many occasions, that these lines are penned. 
It may perhaps be taken as a mark of the regard in which 
