He was born in Trichinopoly, British India,[2] in 1823, the son of John Bird, a provincial judge,[3] and Mary.
"[5] He went back to India for a career in the Madras Civil Service and is listed as having been "special assistant to collector and magistrate, Masulipatam.
[3] Bird became active in the British Israelite Movement in 1874, after having read a book by John Wilson.
[7]: 209 He oversaw an excavation of the Hill of Tara that caused irreparable damage in the early years of the 20th century.
[citation needed] He died at his home, Woodcote Villa, in Tyndalls Park, Bristol.