Bristling with Frustration
Like many colonial naturalists McCoy sent interesting birds to John Gould in London. Located at the centre of Empire, Gould was ideally located to not only assemble and illustrate birds from all over the globe, but to supply specimens to the bourgeoning colonial museums.
For his part McCoy wanted to curry favour with Gould, sending him examples of newly discovered species, doubtless trying to buy time with the naturalist entrepreneur who grew increasingly impatient over late payments for specimens.
In 1867 McCoy sent specimens of the Spotted Pardalote and the Rufous Bristlebird to Gould. His contribution was acknowledged in Gould's publication:
SPHENURA BROADBENTI, M'Coy.
Rufous-headed Bristle-bird
'My thanks are by hereby tended to Professor M'Coy and the Governors of the National Museum at Melbourne, for their liberality in sending to London, for my use, the only specimen of this bird which has as yet been discovered, and which I consider to be one of the most important and interesting species that the colony of Victoria has unfolded to us..."
"My Plate, which represents the bird in two positions, will enable ornithologists, both in Australia and elsewhere, to form a just conception of this rara avis. Many other new species of birds will doubtless yet come to light when the dense scrubby portions of Australia are more closely investigated than they have yet been. Many peculiar physical features characterize that great southern land; and each has to be closely searched before we can gain a complete knowledge of its inhabitants."
Gould's private correspondence differed from his public acknowledgement, revealing deep frustration:
'You write and spur me on to collect and send birds to your Museum but you seldom acknowledge their arrival and are somewhat tardy in remitting the money I may have expended for you.'
- Letter 20 November 18671
1Anthea Fleming, 'Birds, Books and Money: McCoy's Correspondence with John Gould (1857-1876)', The Victorian Naturalist 118(6), 2001, p. 215.