396 
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF 
[merrett 
the publication is in the form of a supposed trial before a 
Committee appointed by the Ayrshire Agricultural Society 
to consider the damage done by the Rooks, witnesses such 
as Bewick, Selby, Macgillivray, and others being called for 
the defence. The birds are, however, found guilty, and the 
judges pronounce sentence of “ death and extermination 
against every rookery in Ayrshire.” 
Sir James was born in 1792 and died February 27, 1870. 
1838. Farmers versus Books. Ayr. (McCormick and Carnie) : 1838. 
Collation — 8vo, pamphlet, pp. 27. 
Merrett (Christopher 1 ), 1614-95 
Merrett, who, although a botanist primarily, has acquired 
special interest in the eyes of British ornithologists on account 
of the list of British birds contained in his Pinax (1666-67), 
was born at Winchcomb, Gloucestershire, February 16, 1614. 
He entered Oxford University, where he graduated B.A. 
1635, and then, devoting himself to the study of medicine, 
graduated M.B. in 1636 and M.D. in 1643. He afterwards 
settled in London, became a Fellow of the Royal College of 
Physicians in 1651, and Gulstonian Lecturer in 1654. Through 
the influence of his friend, Dr. William Harvey (1578-1657), 
Merrett became first librarian of the College. He resided at 
Amen Corner, and is stated by Wood ( Atlien . Oxon.) to have 
acquired a considerable practice. The bulk of the library 
belonging to the College and Merrett’ s house were, however, 
destroyed in the Great Fire, and Merrett lost his appointment. 
He thereupon brought an action against the Royal College 
of Physicians, in which he claimed that he was entitled to 
his office for life. In this claim he failed, and was ultimately 
in 1681 expelled from his Fellowship, nominally for non- 
attendance. He died at his house in Hatton Garden, August 
19, 1695, and was buried “ 12 feet deep in the church of St. 
Andrew’s, Holborne” (Wood). Merrett was the author of 
1 Cf. an Article on Christopher Merrett, by Mr. Mullens, in British Birds, pp. 
109-18, Sept. 1908, and pp. 151-63, Oct. 1908, in which the List of Birds is printed 
verbatim with explanatory notes. 
