SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
295 
thus travelled double the distance, and took double the time to obtain my object 
that was really necessary—while I had very nearly abandoned the pursuit in 
despair. So when at Capel Curig two years ago, I was told that persons frequently 
stalled for the summit of Snowdon, refusing a guide, as beneath their dignity as 
exploring travellers ; but when returning at the close of day, wet, weary, and 
exhausted, the result of their futile efforts was too often found to be 44 non est 
inventus? I must leave the application of this to the naturalists whose emplo}^- 
ment of perpetually changing terminology renders the language they employ 
inexplicable without glossaries and explanations interminable as the difficulties 
they heap together. I am not quite certain whether Mr. Rylands and myself 
would agree as to w r hat the 44 pen of a master” could accomplish at description. It 
is evident, as I have shown from Dr. Lindley, that there is the Scylla and 
Charybdis of lengthy vagueness or perplexing brevity. Changing, therefore, a 
well-known proverb, I conclude by saying to all concerned, as my injunction— 
Get knowledge—easily if you can—if not, get knowledge !—and surely to refuse 
aid because it makes toil 44 easy,” is as unreasonable as it would be to wade 
through a ditch to avoid the undignified and empirical assistance offered by a 
plank! There really seems to me enough of unavoidable toil and difficulty in 
scientific study, without acting upon the invariable rule of 44 making a toil of a 
pleasure,” to use an old but well-known proverb. 
Forthampton , Gloucestersh ire , 
Jan. 24, 1839. 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
Gould’s 44 Birds of Europe,” Part XXI. 
By Neville Wood, Esq. 
(Continued from p. 260.) 
The present part opens with a handsome figure, natural size, of 
White’s Thrush,— Turdus W/iitei ,—Merle de-White, Fr. —This bird has 
been figured in the History of the Rarer British Birds , by Thomas Campbell 
Eyton, Esq.,- of Eyton Castle, and named, in the same work, after a gentleman 
who in all probability never heard of such a species ! Two specimens have been 
killed on the banks of the Elbe, near Hamburgh, and a third was shot in Hamp¬ 
shire, in January, 1828, by Lord Malmesbury. From the superior length of the 
wings, as compared with our British Thrushes, it is probable that it is strictly 
migratory. It is undoubtedly not a true Thrush, though placed provisionally in 
Turdus. The superior size, the smaller bill, and the difference of shape and 
