312 
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OP 
[JEFFERIES 
Jefferies ([John] Richard), 1848-87 
Jefferies was inimitable in his own style of writing, and 
like all great writers has had many imitators. He was a 
keen observer of birds, yet as a writer was rather a prose 
poet than an ornithologist ; hence he claims but small 
attention at our hands. 
He was born at Coate Farm, near Swindon, Wilts, on 
November 6, 1848. His father, a small farmer, is said to 
have possessed the independence of character and keenness 
of observation so remarkable in his son. The latter was 
educated partly at Sydenham, partly at a school in the 
neighbourhood, and at sixteen justified the character he had 
obtained of a restless, unsettled lad, by running away to 
France with a friend, with the intention of walking to Moscow. 
The difficulties they encountered made them change their 
destination to America, yet they proceeded no farther 
than Liverpool. Later Jefferies became a reporter on the 
North Wilts Herald , and entered seriously on a literary life. 
In 1881 he was attacked by a painful malady, which 
made him an invalid for the rest of his life. For the last 
two years he was unable to hold the pen, and was obliged to 
dictate to his wife. He died at Goring in Sussex on August 14, 
1887. 
1878. [Anonymous — “ K. J.”] The Gamekeeper at Home. Sketches of 
Natural History and Rural Life. London : 1878. 
Collation — 1 vol. post 8vo, pp. vii + pp. 216. 
Idem. Another edition, 1 vol. large post 8vo, pp. 219, with 
illustrations by Chas. Whymper. London : 1880. 
1879. [Anonymous.] Wild Life in a Southern County. London : 1879. 
Collation — 1 vol. cr. 8vo, pp. xii + pp. 387. 
Idem. New edition, 1 vol. cr. 8vo, pp. xii + pp. 387. London : 
1881. Also later editions. 
1880. Round about a Great Estate. London : 1880. 
Collation — 1 vol. post 8vo, pp. ix + pp. 201. Numerous refer- 
ences to birds. 
1883. Nature near London. London : 1883. 
Collation — 1 vol. cr. 8vo, pp. 242. (Pub. 7s. 6d.) 
Reprinted from the Standard. 
