572 
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF 
[SYME 
7-16 (but no plates) on 10 pp. ( =pp. 19-24 and 4 pp. un.). Copies 
of this are rare. 
1833. Natural History of the Reed Bird ( Ripaecola arundinacea, Rennie). 
(Field Nat. Mag. i. pp. 484-5.) 
Syme (Patrick), 1774-1845 
Syme, by profession a drawing- master and flower-painter, 
was born in Edinburgh, September 17, 1774, and educated in 
that city. In 1803 he took up his brother’s practice as a 
drawing - master, and subsequently his time was largely 
devoted to teaching. He occasionally practised portraiture, 
but is best known as a flower-painter ; and in the early 
Scottish exhibitions, which began in 1808, his flower pieces 
were much admired. 
In 1810 he published Practical Directions for learning 
Flower - Drawing, and in 1814 a translation of Werner’s 
Nomenclature of Colours. He also superintended the colour- 
ing of the plates of Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations of 
Ornithology , 1825-43. His Treatise on British Song-Birds , 
published anonymously, is more notable, however, from its 
scarceness than from any particular merit in the plates. 
Syme is stated to have been one of the associated artist 
members of the Royal Institution, and to have taken a leading 
part in the foundation of the Scottish Academy. He married 
a daughter of Lord Balmuto, the Scots judge, and towards 
the close of his life was art master at Dollar Academy, 
Clackmannanshire, at which place he died in July 1845. 
1823. [Anonymous.] A | Treatise on British | Song-Birds. | Including | 
Observations on their natural habits, man- | ner of incubation, 
&c. with remarks on | the treatment of the young and | manage- 
ment of the old birds | in a domestic state. | With | fifteen 
Coloured Engravings. | John Anderson, jun. Edinburgh, | 55 
North Bridge-street ; | and Simpkin & Marshall, London. | — | 
MDCCCXXIII. 
Collation — 1 vol. 8vo and 12m o, pp. vi + pp. 231, 15 col. plates. 
Note . — The coloured plates occur in two states, viz. with and 
without coloured backgrounds. Also issued with plain plates. 
No name of author on title-page but introduction signed by 
Patrick Syme, Edinburgh, July 15, 1823. An advertisement states 
that the work was issued “ 8vo. 16s. bds. ; 12mo, 12s. bds.” 
