By W. G. Hale

Sacristy Press, 2016; hbk, 322pp; 88 colour photographs, figures and tables

ISBN 978-1-910519-13-4, Ј55.00

Britain has a long tradition of clerical or ordained naturalists, stretching from medieval times to the present day, and a particularly distinguished example is Canon Henry Baker Tristram (1822–1906), the subject of William Hale’s new book Sacred Ibis.

Tristram is now best known perhaps for the grackle Onychognathus tristramii, named after him by Sclater in 1858, but his name is also honoured by others in no fewer than six further species. Aside from naming eight new species and 40 subspecies himself, he amassed formidable collections of skins and eggs on his expeditions to the Middle East, the Far East, Bermuda (as Chaplain to the Governor) and from contacts in New Zealand; the majority of these collections are now in the Liverpool World Museum.

His quest for the Great Auk Pinguinus impennis, which was still not quite extinct in his lifetime, occupied much of Tristram’s energy, and his correspondence and joint interest with his great friend Prof. Alfred Newton is dealt with by Hale in detail. Tristram was a lifelong supporter of Charles Darwin (he was the first scientist to support him in print) and was a key figure in the famous ‘Oxford debate’ between Bishop Wilberforce and Thomas Huxley, the intricacies of which Hale explains with great clarity.

Cleric, intrepid explorer, oologist, taxidermist, prolific correspondent, founding member of the BOU and much more beside, the achievements of this extraordinary man are vividly brought to life in such a way that by the end of the book you feel you have known him yourself. This is a beautifully produced volume and one that will appeal to all who have an interest in ornithology and those who have contributed to its history.

Philip Collins