Academy of Sciences of Madrid. Indeed lie himself
had at one time planned a work on the subject, and
went so far as to have some plates executed for its
illustration, which (on finding that he was never likely
to carry out the idea) he gave to Colonel Irby, his
old friend and companion in many an expedition, that
they might embellish the second and revised edition of
his useful ‘ Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar,’ in
which they were published in 1895.
Long before this time, however, the scheme of the
present work occurred to Lord Lilford. He had,
hanging on his walls or stored in portfolios, a number
of pictures of Birds by various artists, the contemplation
of which always afforded him pleasure, and even relief
when racked by pain. That pleasure he thought should
not be confined to himself, and he was willing to put it
into the power of other lovers of Birds to possess, at a
comparatively moderate cost to themselves, whatever
might be the expense to him, portraits of their favourites.
The help of Mr. Wolf, whose works he justly held
in the highest admiration, was unhappily no longer
available, but with the services. of Mr. Keulemans he
thought that most people might be content. Accordingly
arrangements were made with that artist for a series
of drawings, and the first part of the work appeared
towards the end of the year 1885—the plates being
chromolithographed in Berlin. As the distance of that
city caused a good deal of inconvenience, trial was made
in several quarters to have them executed nearer home;
but the result was not on the whole satisfactory, so that
eventually recourse was again had for the most part to
the Prussian capital, and certainly there is little fault to
be found with the work latterly turned out from Herr
Greve’s establishment. Gradually the artistic assistance
of Mr. Lodge, Mr. Neale, and Mr. Thorburn was
invoked, and the later portion of the work has been
illustrated wholly by a faithful reproduction of beautifully
finished pictures-p-hardly one of which is not a joy to
gaze on—by the accomplished gentleman last named.
As the plates were intended to be the main feature of
the work, the accompanying letterpress was at first of
the briefest. By degrees, however, the natural impulse
to dwell upon the interesting subjects depicted grew
irresistible, and in some instances particulars of the
several species figured were given at considerable length,
and generally from the writer’s own experience.
Ever since Lilford came into his possession, its
owner’s love of live animals kept on developing itself.
The stable-yard and adjoining courts and outhouses of
the old Hall were, one after another, brought into
requisition, and made to accommodate a vast assemblage
of beasts, birds, and reptiles, especial care being taken
to adapt their several quarters to the comfort of the
inhabitants. This consideration, too often neglected by
those who have the control of vivaria, was constantly
borne in mind by Richard Cosgrave, a faithful and assiduous
attendant, whose morning report on the condition
b 2