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2 unusual facts about John MacGillivray


Fiji Petrel

The Fiji Petrel was originally known from one immature specimen found in 1855 on Gau Island, Fiji by naturalist John MacGillivray on board 'HMS Herald' who took the carcass to the British Museum in London.

William Guilfoyle

The family migrated to Sydney in 1853 where William Guilfoyle was privately educated at Lyndhurst College, Glebe where he received botanical instruction by William Woolls, William Sharp MacLeay (1792–1865) and John MacGillivray (1821–1867), who all encouraged him to follow in his father's career.


1842 in birding and ornithology

John MacGillivray sails as naturalist on board HMS Fly, despatched to survey the Torres Strait, New Guinea.

William Grant Milne

Milne was initially accompanied by fellow Scots botanist John MacGillivray, who left the ship in 1855 after a dispute with Captain Henry Mangles Denham.


see also