HE BEGINS THE STUDY OF ZOOLOGY 13 
In the preface to his Descriptions of the 
Rapacious Birds of Great Britain, published in 
1836, MacGillivray says he began the study of 
zoology in 1817, that is, one year after he had 
commenced the study of botany—and probably in 
the earlier part of that year—when he was qualify¬ 
ing in Aberdeen for the medical profession. His 
only guides in his studies then were, he says, 
Linnaeus and Pennant, while he “knew no living 
wight ” who had any knowledge of the subject 
except a fellow-student, his “best friend,” William 
Craigie, who accompanied him in his excursions in 
quest of plants and animals, both of them “ most 
zealously striving,” he writes, “to add to our 
common store of knowledge in zoology and 
botany. “ How many pleasant and successful 
excursions,” he continues, “we made together on 
the romantic banks of the Don, the pebbly shores 
of the Dee, the rocks of the Cove, the sands of 
the sea-shore, and the bleak moors of the interior, 
I cannot tell.” 
Botany, with which he “began the study of 
Nature,” led to his taking a special interest in 
zoology, its sister science; and probably he was 
induced all the more readily to have recourse to 
it from his previous familiarity with bird life in 
the Hebrides, and through the sympathetic influence 
of his “best friend,” who appears to have been in 
advance of him in the knowledge of both botany 
and zoology. 
The zealous co-operation of the two friends in 
