Obituary 393


OBITUARY


VISCOUNT GREY OF FALLODEN


Viscount Grey of Falloden, who died at his ancestral home on

7th September, had been a member of the Avicultural Society for

twenty years. He was known and admired throughout the world as

a great statesman, but to many of us was also known and beloved

as a naturalist of the very best type and a most charming gentleman.

To go for country walks with him was the most delightful experience,

for no one that I ever met was better at identifying the notes of wild

birds, or appreciating the beauties of the country. I shall never forget

a week-end spent with him in Wiltshire and the bird walks we took.

I thought I knew the notes of most of the wild birds, but I was

stumped by some of those we heard. Lord Grey, however, was never

at a loss, and several bird songs which I was not certain of then I can

always identify since those walks in which he acted as my tutor. The

late Lady Grey was then alive, and she too was a devoted bird-lover,

not only taming the wild birds in her garden, but also those in her

large garden aviary.


But the place beloved of all others by Lord Grey was his home,

Falloden, in Northumberland; a spot within 2 miles of the sea

but far from the madding crowd, surrounded by woods and water ;

a charming garden where, in spite of its northern latitude, bamboos

and other semi-hardy plants grew to perfection. Here he protected

the birds and taught them to be perfectly fearless. The wild birds

fed from his hands and even the red squirrels entered his house and

took nuts from his fingers. And here he had his fine collection of

Waterfowl; many species, some very rare such as the Hinged and

Cinnamon Teal, and the Canvas-back. For the past twelve or more

years no duck has been pinioned, with the result, of course, that a good

many have been lost ; but on the other hand, a great number have

stayed and all have become perfectly tame. Lord Grey was devoted

to his ducks which, when at home, he fed himself every evening,

summer and winter, with his own hands. On two occasions I was

privileged to accompany him on this evening hour with his ducks.

The time was sunset and as the great statesman, clad in an ancient



