22 
MEMOIR OF 
toribus, ad ea lustranda convocatis die Januarii, 
8vo, 1755.” That the specimen was entire in 
Tradescant’s time we have proof, as it is enumera- 
ted among his “ Whole Birds,” in the following 
terms :* — “ Dodar, from the Island Mauritius ; it is 
notable to fly, being so big.”f And as illustrating 
the history of another species, that is now almost 
extirpated from this country, may be mentioned 
his notice of the Bustard, ( Otis tarda,) “ as big 
as a Turkey, usually taken by grayhounds on 
Newmarket heath.” 
To Tradescant succeeded two other celebrated 
collectors of natural curiosities, — William Courten, 
Esq. and Mr James Petiver. The former was the 
grandson of a wealthy merchant, whom James I. 
created a baronet, and was born in the parish of 
Fenchurch, in London, March 28, 1642. His 
father having become insolvent the following year, 
he quitted the kingdom, and died at Florence 
in 1655. The son appears to have received a 
good education notwithstanding, and early in life 
was sent to complete his studies abroad ; and at 
Montpelier is supposed to have first met with Sir 
Hans Sloane, with whom he soon formed an 
intimacy that ripened into a friendship, which 
continued, without interruption, to the end of 
* A painting, now in the British Museum, was made from 
the living bird, by George Edwards, who lived between 
1698 and 1773. 
t Mus. Trad. p. 4. 
