Moncrieff, Pérrine (1893–1979)

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Moncrieff, Pérrine (1893–1979)

New Zealand ornithologist, conservationist, and writer. Name variations: Pérrine Millais. Born Feb 8, 1893, in London, England; died Dec 16, 1979, at Wakapuaka, near Nelson, New Zealand; dau. of Everett Millais and Mary St Lawrence (Hope-Vere) Millais; m. Malcolm Matthew Moncrieff, 1914; children: 2 sons.

Immigrated to New Zealand (1921); was a founding member of New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society (1923) and joined Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union (RAOU); wrote New Zealand Birds and How to Identify Them (1925); contributed papers to RAOU's Emu, and articles to Birds and newspapers, including Nelson Evening Mail; active in numerous campaigns to save native bush and bird species, donating land and establishing Nelson Bush and Bird Society (1928); president of Nelson Institute and of Nelson Philosophical Society; initiated Girl Guides movement in Nelson; became justice of peace and honorary ranger for departments of Internal Affairs and Lands and Survey; published historical novel, The Rise and Fall of David Riccio (1976). Received Loder Cup (1953); made officer of Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau (1974); awarded CBE (1975).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 4).