intra —— > Tana ar LNT Gime eget: DP aft =f Rags ~ HE er hs C4 FY etn : ® ¥ AN oan On aia HNN ta a s \ been i “pe eS gs i sag ree es Aaa te Se 3 7 ots en aie gthree ; gneve ! Stemi treat a Seer tasseasree ¢ — oe : y Soe f = a * ee 8 ee hy sa og Pt, “Ae, the SPagag. : Apt af i “f a Bs o = re % “tp ae &y G sgn Nt se 2 | hi I i | pe - Nee ve} JAR rl RROLD L. DS? 1 ‘IRLUSTRATED GUIDE TO a Rea Bs ony et ~ N17 if : ~ yl y : ‘ : os fe on Foraag ef tp & ’ ss Vda eat BL ee = OR gel : aH , why ; ; \ . iy 675 . Ne ~ \ : a a pee | ie fee ihe = oa —— wv. ‘ m ~ fs 4 _ | - = eal oa , - Fs e i, are * Soe ae ee Ss dice ee ‘18! - 9} a2 Oia) UBLISHED WITH /-.1-v tal fe Ann ‘ ; ee Ts Wt fi Lowe ool anes Me | | OF TH tfyts ete. as, Tee B ic eee ad 4 f : - ‘ I A ) ee Pa bi 2 3 AS hee 5 Sa Tan - a \ = : ae 23 f (YEE ESS ‘ Ci yw by ye : o \ ® SOMMINTEE | ee eee Oe ik PRICE SIXPENCE INDON: JAX ROLD & SONS 10 AND II]. WARWICK LANE E.C. AND AT Norwicu, YARMOUTH, AND. CROMER. 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AN : THE OFFICIAL GUIDE Birds TO THE NORWICH CASTLE MUSEUM / BY THOMAS SOUTHWELL, EZ, ee of the British Ornithologists Union, Vice-President of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Soctety, etc. (Published under the Special Sanction of the Castle Museum Commitiee) ABRIDGED EDITION Sr ae: "Situ, cw yr Mepperset th VY, Uf LONDON SSational Mu Muses -JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, EC. ‘LVOW DHL WOU NAS day FHL mer Bot el INTRODUCTION. THE frequent demand for a Guide Book to the Norwich Castle Museum has induced the enterprising firm of Jarrold and Sons to add yet one more to the useful series of such works which has been issued by them, and the Committee of the Museum, having given their consent and offered every facility for its production, the result will be found in the following pages, which it is hoped may be useful to those who visit the collections. The removal into the spacious galleries in the Castle was of necessity so speedily effected, that the complete re-arrangement of the various collections on the most modern systems could not, at the time, be carried out, and one of the chief difficulties which the writer had to contend with was the unfinished condition in which some of the sections at present are ; to remedy this will necessarily be a work of time, and it is satisfactory to know that the task is gradually but surely approaching completion. In the Guide this re-arrangement has occasionally been anticipated, and the places of some of the objects named may not just at present quite coincide with those here assigned to them; but it is hoped that no serious inconvenience in that respect will be experienced. It only remains for the writer to thank those friends who have been so kind as to render him assistance in 6 Introduction. his task. Mr. G. C. Eaton kindly contributed the section on the pictures, and the chapters on Geology and Antiquities are by Mr. Mark Knights, Mr. J. H. Gurney, Dr. Henry Woodward, and Mr. J. B. Bridgman, have most kindly read the portions of the Guide on which they are special authorities, and Mr. James Reeve, the Curator of the Museum, has been of the greatest assistance in all ways. To Messrs. Adam and Charles Black, and to Professor Newton, the thanks of the publishers are due for permission to use illustrations, nine in number, from the Dictionary of Birds. Other illustrations, all of which are duly acknowledged in the text, first appeared in the Worfolk Archeology. ce ~e Norwich, August, 1895. CON TEN ES. PAGE INTRODUCTION ... see ey By 5 APPROACH TO THE CASTLE ... ae II THE MUSEUM ... = Sei aoe II MUNIMENT ROOM ... ee: 8 14 THE LIBRARY ... ier, re ae 14 THE BRITISH BIRD-ROOM an AM 16 THE LOMBE COLLECTION oe ae 16 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS as ie 31 RAPTORIAL BIRDS ae ag oe a2 THE SKIN ROOM ve oe: ad 59 COLLECTION OF INSECTS ot: dae 60 GENERAL COLLECTION OF BIRDS mee 61 THE PICTURE GALLERY ... ae ay TOO THE GENERAL COLLECTION OF SHELLS Tog oe y's Lat ue v's ‘he nC as ryty Pages if aie» ee ie wey, i = Va 7 Nes BRITISH LAND, FRESHWATER, AND MA Seiws, BTC, ae NPE “MARINE SHELLS id ion ; -OSTEOLOGY ie ae vA) GEOLOGY: MINERAL AND FOSSIL REMAINS THE FITCH COLLECTION ae oe THE KEEP, ANTIQUITIES, AND ETHNOLOGY. THE DUNGEONS ae ae. ea THE MURDERERS’ GRAVES Ne A Siettebcns aie ee & ‘ ot Mia ie my ce 4 A eh a * f ‘ fr " b be at} t ah boie at a be einen pds tg at he ges 4 Slr ’ c 7 f rare | ‘ % ni "4 i) x i j - ¥ 1 "4 ' ‘i . ie : : , ‘ L j os 9, = - { ne be ple = wi _ . - * sie ig ; ATs f Dl ar , ok i ' 4 - o) 5 fe ei ‘ hs eee Ss ~ ~ a . " g : , } a ee Cree sg ie ‘ i 7 ‘ ; { - =) uy . « BSS NAAAAAAAAAARAARAAAARARRRARARAAANRAAARARANAAAANRARAANRARRAAAR ANN iy ih > Sp CSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS9 NN N A . 3) as A . a SSS SEES SSSA ESOS} S DS re 7 Picture. Gallery CLLEGLILELLEDLEIEELEAESELITIES1, UZ77 LILIA LL LLL DSSS SSS SS A VILLE LL LILLIA AA TTA ae : s 35 s | UH) NSS SANS AAAUNAAERRRRAAREREREDERRNEY _—— RSASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSAS N F Geolog: RY N’ : shh Ke + Raptorial } e | 3 : ’ aa } ot .. : i SN) Birds iIneralody yy pt N SSAA SS SSS SSS S s. C ESSSSSSSSS SSS SSNS SOUS N SONNET es wee ee eree wecoe er eee Hl It y N Mt R wa Archeology: ° ll! 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Se ae es e- Sie, Digo Saw 5 E 4 - BNNs RA aM | ree 2 ia ci eas Se emai eb ey at = NeW ee ot ae ee <—'! = ~ B |S veh AS 5 weay ai Ba het Cat Ber Ce Ee gen peat Z | A he elie ~ 1g . { ~ a atow THE KEEP FROM THE MUSEUM GARDENS, SHEWING BIGOD’s TOWER. 16 The Official Guide to the collection of birds, to be mentioned shortly; and on the opposite wall is a copy of Cleers’ Map of Nor- wich, dated 1696, which formerly belonged to Kirk- patrick, and bears his MS. notes in red ink, as well as his signature. There is also a fine copy of Kirk- patrick’s N.E. prospect of Norwich, dated 1720— remarkable for showing the long streets of houses with pointed gables, which have now almost dis- appeared—and a fine view of the celebrated sign which - formerly spanned the road at Scole Inn. Passing through a swing door at the end of the first corridor, the visitor enters | The British Bird-Room. It is well that this room should be seen first, for notwithstanding the many treasures it contains, the first appearance, compared with the beautiful wall- cases in the other parts of the building, is slightly disappointing. This arises from the Lombe collection, — which occupies the whole of the right side, being in the original old-fashioned though excellent cases, and the wall-cases on the other side of the room having been adapted from the old Museum. But this feeling soon passes away, more especially should the visitor have some knowledge of Ornithology, when he inspects the contents of the room more closely. There are here some of the most beautiful as well as the rarest of British birds, most of which possess the additional attraction of local origin. We will first speak of the : The Lombe Collection, : which was formed by the late Edward Lombe, of Melton near Norwich, and presented to the Norwich Museum, ~ Norwich Castle Museum. M7 ‘by his daughter, the late Mrs. E. P. Clarke, of Wymondham. At the time it was made, early in the "present century, it must have been one of the most ANS (FRAN AN i lh i \ y yh Ney “8 ls WES Ni ’ VARA \\ IK VN 1 ERAN IWAN Ree \ RAN IANA SW ‘YAN \\ V\YAA AY) Y NY \ Wa Eh SSSRW GARE-FOWL OR GREAT AUK. From Professor Newton’s ‘* Dictionary of Birds.” complete private collections in this country. It was _temoved to the old Museum, and opened to the public B ‘18 The Official Guide to the in July, 1873. It consists of thirty-six large uniform cases of British Birds, and two of British Mammals, all preserved and cased by the celebrated Leadbeater, of London. There are 289 species of British birds, represented by 540 specimens remarkably well pre- served, and frequently exhibiting adults of both sexes, as well as immature examples. The gem of the collec- tion is the Great Auk, or as modern ornithologists prefer to call it, the Gare-fowl, which will be noticed under a separate glass shade; unfortunately the history of this particular bird is not known. ‘The species, however, is now extinct, and comparatively few examples are in existence. The Gare-fowl was quite incapable of flight, but fully at home on and in the water, which it seldom left. Its chief home in the breeding-season, when it visited the land, was certain islands off the coast of Newfoundland; the last of which it resorted to was Funk Island, where it was most ruthlessly exterminated. ‘The final resort of the species was a small group of rocky islands off the south- west point of Iceland, where it became extinct in 1844. As may be imagined, these birds are exceedingly valuable, the last which changed hands was accom- panied by an egg, the two selling by private contract for £600; whilst the eggs alone have produced by auction almost fabulous prices, one which formerly belonged to Mr. Yarrell, selling in 1888 for £225 ; and two others, accidentally discovered amongst some fossils of little value, which were purchased for 36s., although both somewhat damaged, one more so than the other, sold on the 24th April, 1894, for. 7,273 and £183 15s. Fespectively _ A bird hardly less interesting than the Gare-fowl, although very inconspicuous, will be found in Case 7, No. 35. It is a male of a small warbler known as Savi’s Warbler, of which the Museum is the fortunate Norwich Castle Museum. 19 possessor of three other specimens, all killed in the county of Norfolk; one of these is the first example of the species known to have been obtained in Britain, and probably in Europe. The example in the Lombe collection was killed at Strumpshaw early in the present century. In the centre of the room, also arranged in vacant spaces round the walls, are a number of separate cases containing birds, in many instances of great rarity, and almost all of local origin. A very interesting memento of the almost forgotten but once popular sport of cock-fighting will be found in one of these cases. It consists of two cocks, trimmed and spurred, the one triumphant over its fallen foe, which lies prone at its feet. This group is the work of John Hunt, formerly a bird preserver in Norwich, and the author of an illustrated work on Sritish Ornithology, dated about 1815, of considerable merit, but unfortunately never completed. Perhaps the most interesting of all these rari- ties, certainly the most imposing, is the unequalled group of Native Great Bustards, which Sccuplsi ie centre of the room. The birds in the wall cases in this room are arranged in accordance with the system adopted by a Committee of the British Ornithologists’ Union, and embodied in their published catalogue, generally known as the ‘Ibis List.” There are eight cases. Commencing with | Case l., we find the Thrushes take precedence, in which family are our well-known Song Thrush and ‘Blackbird, as well as a great diversity of other species, some of which the unlearned would hardly expect to find asso- ciated even under different sub-families. In the same ad ol 29 The Ofc Guide: to the case will be noticed the pretty Blue-throat, nearly allied to the Redstart, which breeds in Arctic Europe, wintering far to the south. We mention this bird for the reason that it was formerly considered a great rarity in the British Isles, but it now generally visits the east coast on its autumn migration, sometimes in rather considerable numbers. The three examples of Savi’s Warbler already referred to, are in close proximity, in a small glazed case. A very attrac- tive bird, known as the Dipper, or Water Ouzel, a frequenter of rocky mountain streams, into which it deliberately walks until quite submerged, in search of the aquatic larvee which form its food, will be seen well represented. Some beautiful examples of the Gol- den Oriole are followed by the Shrikes or Butcher Birds, and lovely specimens of the Waxwing, an occasional winter visitant. A number of small but Interesting species, amongst which are the Bullfinch, Crossbills, and Buntings, bring us to another rarity, the Rose-coloured Pastor, a very occasional summer visitor to this country ; succeeded by the Nutcracker, a straggler from the mountain districts of the European continent ; the charming but persecuted Jay, and its companion in evil repute, the sprightly Magpie. Then follow the Crows and Larks, amongst which latter will be noticed the Shore Lark, an inhabitant of Northern Europe, Asia, and America, which, like the Blue-throat before mentioned, although formerly con- sidered a great rarity, has now become a constant autumn visitor to the east coast. The Alpine Swift, another rare straggler, is represented by an example killed at Old Buckenham, in September, 1831, and two beautifully pied varieties of the Nightjar will be seen, one of which, the gift of Mr. Wilkinson, of Holt, was killed near that town in 1858; for the other the Museum is indebted to Lord Hastings. Passing Norwich Castle Museum. ZI the Woodpeckers, we come to some bright tropical- looking birds, our own lovely Kingfisher, the not less beautiful Roller, Bee-eater, and the crested Hoopoe, which, with the Cuckoo, bring us to the end of the case. Case II, Few birds are more interesting than the Owls, which follow here; the well-known Barn Owl being the most familiar species. A beautiful pied variety of the Long- eared Owl, a bird very little given to variation, will be found in a separate case; it was killed at Filby, and the gift of the Rev. C. J. Lucas. Perhaps the most conspicuous objects in this case are a group of Snowy Owls, with young ones in various stages of plumage, from the chick a few hours old, to fine adult birds in their striking white plumage, sparingly spotted and varied with black. A very striking object also is a young common Barn Owl in its white down. In this case commence the diurnal Birds of Prey ; the first family of which is known as the Harriers, a group occupying a position in the arrangement ‘here adopted between the Owls and the Buzzards, to the former of which its facial disk causes it to bear some resemblance. All the three species of Harrier were frequent breeders in the uncultivated districts of Norfolk at the beginning of the present century, but have now become exceedingly rare, and with one exception have ceased to breed here. The Marsh and Hen Harriers are here, but the third species, Montagu’s Harrier, will be found in Case lil, ‘The last named is followed by the Buzzards, one species of which formerly bred in Norfolk. Next 22 The Official Guide to the in succession are two fine British Eagles, the Golden Eagle of very rare occurrence in South Britain, and the White-tailed Eagle. The specimen of the first named in the case was killed in Perthshire, but an English example procured in Yorkshire will be found immediately on entering the next corridor, where a few separate cases forming an overflow from this room are a ae Us A Ua SSX —— PANG ww Se = FMBH a Sys SS == f ANN MON SS WEE mee SSW LAY WS Sn RR SUT TERWORTH HEAT 7, SN WSS WSO = AS — SS AY Ny) NN DAN WS SS THE HEN HARRIER (MALE AND FEMALE), From Professor Newton's “ Dictionary of Birds.” placed. The Goshawk, now a very rare visitor in the Eastern Counties, is succeeded by the Kite, another example of a once common bird now become excessively rare in this country. The beautiful Green- land and Iceland Falcons will be found in the lobby before mentioned, and should not be missed. The Norwich Castle Museum. smaller Falcons, including a charming little Red- footed Falcon, killed near Norwich, on August roth, 1843, form a very attractive group. The Osprey, or Ze Pay & ai 1 G a Aa. Z N) fa S = NN HWY Mz J H/ p Y Hy, Wi fe f YW /f. S i LU ee y §, S I Mal f/f wy t, fa \ / WAN f Wh I V/) i | N ‘S| ~ 820A Ke \ : a = \\\\-4 Sit ANTS e NAM / NEN NS oo N by RSS i WG THE BITTERN, From Professor Newton’s ** Dictionary of Birds.” Fish-hawk, sometimes a visitor to our waters, is the last species in this case. 24: The Official Guide to the. Case IV. contains some very showy birds. ‘The Shag and the Cormorant will be found in the Lombe collection, Case 23; the latter is another bird lost to this county as a breeding species, for which purpose it resorted to the trees at Fritton, certainly as late as the year 1825. The Gannet occupies a position at the top of the case, and is followed by fine examples of the Heron. The Lombe collection, also Case 17, contain some very beautiful birds of this family, including the lovely Egrets, whose beautiful side plumes only developed, be it remembered, when the bird is breeding, prove a fatal gift, and have led to the extermination of the species in many of its former nesting-places to meet the cruel and thoughtless demands of fashion. A very rare species, known as the Squacco Heron, a native of Southern Europe and Northern Africa, formerly in the Stevenson collection, and which was killed at Surlingham, occupies one of the small ~ cases. Lower in the wall case are the Bittern, once sO common in the fenny parts of Norfolk, and the White Stork. Of the rarer Black Stork, a Norfolk specimen, from the Stevenson collection, which was killed on Breydon in June, 1877, will be found in the lobby at the entrance of the room. Some fine adults of the Spoonbill, a species which, like the Herons, and in their society, formerly bred at Claxton and Reedham, on lofty trees, seemingly a strange nesting- place for these long- legged birds, brings us to the end of this order. We now come to the Anseres, and a ne series of the British Geese are conenned here, and in Cases 29 and.30 of the Lombe collection. Especial atten- tion is called to the Pink-footed Goose (in a separate case), which, although not recognised in this country Norwich Castle Museum. ra till thé year 1841, is now, as it doubtless was before that time, by far. the most numerous Goose found in Norfolk. It is especially abundant on the Holkham marshes in winter. Of the Swans two species have already been referred to in the vestibule, and here will be seen two other elegant wild species, the Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, both of which are occasional winter visitors to our waters, of uncertain occurrence, but sometimes rather numerous. The eight species of wild Duck known to breed in Norfolk are well repre- sented here and in the Lombe collection (Cases 25 to 28), amongst which may be mentioned the beautiful Sheld’ Duck and the Gadwall; the latter species is worthy of note, for though occasionally occurring in this county previous to the year 1850, it could up to that time be only regarded as a winter visitant. Those rare Ducks, the Red-crested, Buffle-headed, and Steller’s Western Duck, have already been mentioned; and at the bottom of this case will be seen a young male King Eider, which was killed at Hunstanton in the middle of January, 1888, and 1s the first recognised Norfolk specimen. It has, how- ever, been met with twice since in the same locality. These are followed by the Mergansers and the Smew. In Case V. are the Pigeons and the Game Birds, an interesting series of which will also be found in Cases ro to 14 of the Lombe collection. A fine case of Grouse and Capercally is in the Lombe collection, No. 11. The Spotted, Baillon’s, and Little Crakes are all represented by locally killed birds, as also the Crane, a bird noted for its beauty and stately bearing, which formerly bred. in England, and_ probably in this county ;’ the.specimen here showa was killed 26 The Official Guide to the on September rst, 1873, at East Wretham. At the bottom of the case is a fine Bustard. The beautiful group of these birds in the centre of the room, as already explained, represent the extinct race of Norfolk-bred Bustards, which have vanished never to return, the species now ranking with us as an occa- sional migrant; of the latter class, the bird above mentioned is a representative, having been shot at Winterton on the coast in the year 1820. Several other migratory examples have been obtained in this county since that date. The two Little Bustards in close proximity are also Norfolk specimens, one was killed at Trunch and the other near Norwich ; both are females. ‘There are also two others, male and female, localities unknown. Case VI. devoted to the Limicota, also contains many rarities worthy of notice. The fine bird known as the © Stone Curlew, or Norfolk Plover, is found in summer breeding sparingly in the open parts of the county; there are also specimens of a remarkable iong-legged bird, the Avocet, which at the beginning of the present century nested in more than one locality in this county, notably at Salthouse Marshes, where it | was called the “‘ Shoe-Awl,” from its peculiarly formed beak. A still longer-legged bird close by is appro- priately named the Stilt Plover, the bird in this case was killed on Hickling Broad on June t1oth, 1822. Some beautiful varieties of the Woodcock from the Hastings collection, and several very rare Sandpipers, amongst which are an example of the scarce melanistic variety of the Common Snipe known as ‘“‘Sabine’s Snipe;” the Broad-billed Sandpiper first made known as a British Bird from a Nortolk-killed Norwich Castle Museum. 27 specimen; the Pectoral Sandpiper, another American species first obtained on Breydon; and an even rarer bird, the Siberian, or Sharp-tailed Pectoral Sandpiper, which has only twice been procured in Britain, and both times on Breydon. The Museum specimen of this bird has only recently been recognised, although it was killed in September, 1848. The splendid series of Ruffs, all local specimens in breeding plum- age has already been mentioned, but others will be observed in thiscase. Two more New-world stragglers must be pointed out; the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, the Museum specimen of which was killed at or near Sheringham on 2gth July, 1832, and the Brown Snipe (Macrorhamphus griseus), killed at Horsey, on oth October, 1845. The collection also contains some beautiful breeding examples of the Black-tailed God- wit, a bird which early in the present century nested in several localities in Norfolk. Case VII. is appropriated to Aquatic Birds, and commences with perhaps the most graceful of all these charming birds, the Terns and Gulls. The lovely Common and Lesser Terns are the only species now left to us as summer residents, and these from persistent egging, and the heartless fashion of adorning (?) ladies’ hats with their distorted bodies, are in great danger of extermination. The Arctic Tern is only a passing migrant, and the Roseate Tern, a great rarity in this county—although it formerly bred in some numbers on the Farne Islands—is represented in the collection by only one local specimen, which was killed at Hun- stanton on 12th July, 1880, and generously presented by Lord Lilford. The Caspian and Sandwich Terns, of which fine species examples will be noticed, are 28 The Official Guide to the only passing visitants to this county, and the Whiskered and Noddy ‘Terns are both represented by other than local specimens. ‘The Black Tern is another of those birds which is lost to us as a summer resident, and the White-winged Black Tern is a rare southern species, which occasionally appears in the neighbourhood of the Broads. Nearly allied to the Terns are the Gulls (Larrna), the first example of which is the beautiful Ivory Gull, a circumpolar species rarely found on the British coast. This is followed by the pretty Kittywake (Rissa tridactyla), one of our most common Gulls. Next are the Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, both Arctic species, the former sometimes met with off our coast in winter, generally in immature plumage, the latter of very rare occurrence. ‘The Lesser Black-backed, Common Gull (Larus canus), and Greater Black- backed Gulls are met .with all the year round; the first and last, as well as the Herring Gull, most com- monly in immature plumage. The fine Great Black- headed Gull here exhibited is not a British killed specimen; its home is the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and its claim asa British bird rests on a single’ occurrence at the mouth of. the Exe. Tie meu however, the Common Black-headed Gull, nests at Scoulton and Hoveton, and is probably our most numerous species at all seasons, The Little Gull—which also has a black head in the breeding plumage—inhabits Northern Europe in summer, and is only an occasional straggler to our shores; it is shown here in both summer and winter plumage, as is also the beautiful Sabine’s Gull, the last of the black- headed species. Of the Skuas or Robber. Gulls there is a fine series; : the first of the family, the Great or so-called Common Skua, will be found in the Lombe collection, Case 33. Norwich Castle Museum. 20 This fine bird, which. breeds in a restricted area in Shetland, is very rare on the Norfolk ‘coast. Sasa VIII, commences with the Pomatorhine Skua, an uncertain but sometimes rather numerous visitor to our shores; two others, Richardson’s and Buffon’s Skuas, claim attention, the former breeds in the northern division of the kingdom and adjacent Isles, and is by far the most common species on our coast; the latter, known as the Long-tailed Skua, from the two centre feathers extending sometimes as much as nine inches beyond the other feathers of the tail, is circum-polar in its habitat, and seldom visits us, especially in adult plumage. Of the Oceanic birds, perhaps the best known, is the Storm Petrel, a swallow-like bird, which rough weather at sea frequently brings to our shores sometimes in large numbers. ‘The same may be said to a less degree with regard to the Fork- tailed Petrel. Some rare birds of the genus Puffinus and its allies have been met with in Norfolk; unfortunately they are not in the Museum collection. Examples of the Manx and Greater Shearwaters will be seen, and of the Fulmar, which seldom visits the shore, but is often rather numerous out at sea; it is a handsome, powerful-looking bird, and breeds in some of the Scotch Islands. Of Bulwer’s Petrel, a southern species of this wandering family, we are unable to exhibit a Norfolk-killed specimen, but it will be found represented. The Divers which follow, commence with the Great Northern Diver, the largest of its kind, which, with the Black-throated and Red-throated Divers, are met with fishing off our coast, but generally in immature plu- mage; fine specimens, however, will be seen in the 30 The Official Guide to the | collection. ‘The Grebes, next in order, are not : Strictly marine; the largest, the Great Crested —_ > rN GREAT CRESTED GREBE. From Professor Newton’s ‘‘ Dictionary of Birds.” Grebe, is one of the greatest ornaments of the Norfolk Broads, on most of which, where not too much disturbed, it breeds. ‘here are four other species of _—— Norwich Castle Museum. 31 Grebe in the collection, all very elegant birds, one only of which, the Little Grebe, is found in any num- bers in Norfolk. The Auks are Oceanic birds, more or less common on our shores, particularly the Razor-bill; but its cousin, the Great Auk, before referred to, is now extinct. The Guillemot is another well-known inhabi- tant of our waters; the Black Guillemot is much rarer, but it breeds on the Irish coast and some of the Scotch Islands. The Little Auk, a quaint little bird, circumpolar in its habitat, occasionally visits our shores in stormy weather, even in considerable num- bers, and on such occasions is often driven far inland; one of our specimens was taken on the Gentleman’s Walk, another will be observed to have the black chin and throat of summer, a state of plumage very rare so far south; this example was killed at Wells, in May, 1857. Only one more bird remains for us to mention, and that a very remarkable one known as the Puffin. It is a dapper little fellow, breeding in suitable localities all round the coast of Great Britain, depositing a single egg in holes in the ground, and for the most part availing itself of rabbits’ burrows. ‘The bill in summer is enormous and gaudily coloured; it has the curious habit of shedding some portion of it, as well as some other horny ornamental appendages, after the close of the breeding season. The corridor, opening out of the British Bird Room, through which we pass into the next block, contains on the left side four caszs devoted to the collection of British Birds’ Eggs, and three small wall cases, in which are a number of nests, also of British Birds. Passing for the present the line of wall cases on the 32 The. Official Guide to the right-hand side of the corridor, we enter the noble room in which are displayed the bulk of the specimens forming the splendid collection of Raptorial Birds, | an which form a lasting memertal of the energy, liberalitan and profound acquaintance with’ this branch of Orni- thology possessed by the late Mr. J. H. Gurney, who, in 1853, stated his intention to formas complete a — collection as possible of the Birds of Prey; and the beautiful series here exhibited, as well as a large num- ber of skins reposing in the cabinets in the “Skin Room,” testify to the success which has attended his untiring efforts. Many of the specimens are described or otherwise alluded to in the /ézs, a scientific journal devoted to Ornithology (vols. for 1859-1882), and some of them are figured either there or in the publi- cations of the Zoological Society. In describing these, frequent use will be made of the excellent Sketch of the Raptorial Birds in the Norwich — Museum,* written by Mr. Gurney in 1872, a little book replete with information, and a model of the popular treatment of a scientific subject. The birds of prey, nearly all of which are feeders on | flesh, are divided in Mr. Gurney’s Museum Catalogue into two great groups—the ACCIPITRES, or birds which seek their prey by day, and the STRIGES, or Owls, most of them nocturnal or crepuscular in their habits. The Accipitres are, for the most part, powerful birds, possessing great capacity for soaring and sustained flight, bold in their habits, and furnished with formidable claws for holding, and hooked beaks for rending. ‘They vary greatly in size, * Published by Jarrold and Sons. Price Sixpence. . Norwich Castle Museum. 24 as will be seen in the collection, from the giant Lammergeyers to the tiny Indian Microhierax; but their fierceness is not always in proportion to their bigness, as instanced by our familiar little British Merlin, one of the boldest of the Accipitres. They are widely distributed, some of them—as the Peregrine Falcon—being almost cosmopolitan; others are very restricted. About 470 species are recognised by Mr. Gurney, and of these 403 are represented in the Norwich Museum. ‘The various main divisions of this order will be referred to more at large as we pass them in review in their proper places, and for the present we shall confine ourselves to the first family, ACCIPITRES:; Caso I. On entering the large room containing the bulk of the Birds of Prey, we turn sharp to the left, com- mencing with the wall case numbered 1. There are also many small, and some of them very beautiful cases, containing rare or, choice specimens, to all of which reference cards will be found in their proper places in the wall cases; these small cases will here be indicated by separate numbers. ‘The first bird which attracts our attention, following the order in which they are arranged in Mr. Gurney’s Catalogue, is a very abnormal form, the only member of the family SERPENTARIID#, so called from its favourite food con- sisting® of snakes and reptiles, but perhaps better known as the Secretary Bird, from the fanciful resem- blanice of the feathers at the back of the head to a pen fixed behind the ear. ‘This is the only species of this very restricted family. aie Following Serpentarius is the genus Polyborotdes, € 34 The Official Guide to the which contains two species, P. fypicus and P radiatus. They are both reptile feeders, the former having an extended range on the continent of Africa, the latter being found in Madagascar. Both species” are possessed of a remarkable peculiarity which exists THE SECRETARY BIRD. From Professor Newton’s ** Dictionary of Birds.” « in no other bird, they are able to direct the tarsus (the long bone immediately above the foot, popularly regarded as the leg) both backwards and forwards. This peculiar flexibility at the joint between the tibia Norwich Castle Museum. 35 ‘ and tarsal bones appears to be of great service to the bird in searching sun cracks in the parched soil for the reptiles which take refuge there after the waters of the smaller pools are dried up. Mr. Gurney has had one of the specimens so mounted as to show this sin- gular action. The remaining birds in this case belong to the Caracaras, or carrion-eating Hawks, natives of South America, a country inhabited by more birds of prey than any other region in the world. A member of this group, Sezex australis, inhabits the Falkland Islands, where one of our specimens was collected by Charles Darwin. In Case Il. we find the first of the true Vultures, a well-defined family inhabiting the warmer parts of both hemis- pheres. The typical Vultures are characterised by their heads and necks being more or less bare, which gives them a somewhat repulsive appearance, although some species are remarkable for the delicacy and vividness of their colouration ; their habit of feeding on carrion renders them invaluable as scavengers in hot climates where’ they most abound, and render impor- tant service in removing the putrescent animal matter which would otherwise prove pestilential. The Egyptian-Vulture, a Gier Eagle of Scripture (Lev. xi. 18, Deut. xiv. 17), (Weophron percnopterus), has a claim upon us as one of the two species which has wandered to our shores. A large series of these birds will be found in various states of plumage as well as skeleton and eggs. ‘These are followed in Case !II. by the Black Vulture (Cad?-7risia atrata) found in South America, and the Aura Vulture ¢C. azza) known in the 30 The Official Guide to the United States as the ‘‘ Turkey Buzzard,” a large series - of these will be found differing considerably in size. On the floor of the case is a fine group of one of the most highly prized species in the Museum, z7z., the Californian Vulture (Pseudogryphus californianus), a grand species frequenting Rocky Mountains and the North-western shore of America, from Southern Mexico northward to Oregon, but now almost extinct. A fine series of these birds will be found with nestling, eggs, and skeleton, and some of the soft parts are in spirits. Case IV. contains the great American Condors from the Andes, the largest bird of prey known, and four King Vultures (with skeleton and eggs). The latter beautiful species inhabits the tropical parts of America, and gains its appellation, says Mr. Gurney, from the circumstance that the other Vultures inhabiting the same district never venture to alight on the carcase at which it is feeding until he “has satisfied his royal appetite, and with slowly flapping pinions, has winged his way to the dead limb of some lofty tree, where, with his crimson head and purple neck nestled down between the cream-coloured feathers of his wings and shoulders, he will patiently sit till the return of hunger recalls him from the memories of his last feast to a quest for the repast which shall succeed it.” In Case V. is a very fine old example of the Oricou Vulture (Otozyps aur.culavis), which lived in Mr. Gurney’s aviary from the year 1855 to 1877, where she was well-known as Mrs. Stockings, from the white feathers of the thigh. During her long confinement she laid Norwich Castle Museum. 37 many eggs, some of which are now in close proximity to her; there is also a skeleton of the Oricou. Case VI. holds a fine series of Riippell’s Vulture, with skeleton and egg, as well as good examples of the Griffon Vul- ture (Gyps fulvus) and its sub-species, with nestling, eggs, and skeleton ; and with Case VII. we arrive at the last of the true Vultures, as represented by Gyps indicus, the long-billed Griffon Vulture, and G. africanus. In Cases VIII. and IX. begin the Fatconip#, the first examples of which are both in form and habits intermediate between the true Vultures and the Eagles. Of these there is only one genus, Gyfaétus, signifying Vulture-Eagle, and it is represented by two species, the magnificent Lammergeyers (Lamb Vultures). The best-known of the two is the European Bearded Vulture, distinguished by a beard-like tuft of bristly feathers, at the base of the mandible, this adds greatly to its fierce appear- ance. Of these fine birds there is a unique series in the collection, numbering thirteen individuals, with skeleton and eggs. In the present day the Bearded Vulture is found in some of the most lofty mountain chains in the Old World, in Portugal, Greece, the Italian Alps, Sicily, and Sardinia; it is also found in the Himalayas, the Punjab, and some other parts of Asia, but it is one of those birds probably marked for extinction in Europe, and has indeed disappeared from several of its ancient haunts. The food of the Lammergeyer appears to be very varied; its name 38 _ The Official Guide to the indicates one habit, doubtless fatal to its existence, but it is also said to be very partial to tortoises which it carries high up into the air and drops on a rock or stone to break the armour with which they are covered. The well-known story told by Pliny will be remembered, how the bald head of the poet A%schylus being mis- taken for a stone by one of these birds, it dropped a tortoise from on high and caused the death of the poet. Case X. commences the Eagles, amongst which will be noticed the great Wedge-tailed Eagle of Australia (also skele- ton and eggs), and our own Golden Eagle found in some parts of Scotland—where its numbers appear to be increasing—the latter represented by a grand series, from Europe, North Africa, Asia, and North America ; here is also a fine species known as the Imperial Eagle. In Case X]. will be seen the beautiful Tawny Eagle from Mogador, the Abyssinian, and Cawnpore Eagles, and others ; and in Case XIl. the last of the true Eagles, the Spotted and long-legged Eagles. On the last two shelves we commence the Hawk Eagles, so called from their short wings and more fully-developed tails ; of these there are a large num- ber of species from widely-dispersed localities. Vzsaé- tus fasciatus, the first, is a handsome bird known as Bonellis’ Eagle, it is widely-dispersed all over Southern Europe and Asia and North Africa, and not unlikely some day to be met with in England. Norwich Castle Museum. 39 Case XIII. contains some beautiful crested Hawk Eagles of the genus Zimnaétus ; one species, LZ. caligatus, the change- able Hawk Eagle, represented in its melanistic as well as in its normal phase. Gurney’s Hawk Eagle, in Case XIV., the type specimen, named by J. E. Gray, in honour of the late Mr. Gurney, is still a rare species, and was at the time it was acquired to be found in only one other public collection; we now possess four speci- mens, one having been added since Mr. Gurney’s death; the Occipital Hawk Eagle, a handsomely- crested bird, will also be observed, it is remarkable for the extraordinary development of the occipital feathers, greater in proportion to the size of the bird than in any other Hawk Eagle. . Case XV. also contains some imposing-looking species, amongst them the Crowned Hawk Eagle, one of the largest and most destructive Hawk Eagles of the Old World. She female, No. 2, was shot by Mr. YT. Ayres, of Natal, just after it had killed a large monkey. Case XVI. contains three fine Harpy Eagles of tropical America. They are great destroyers of monkeys, fierce-looking, with wonderfully powerful feet and talons, and are perhaps the most formidable birds in existence. Next follow the Buzzard Eagles, a large group of a much feebler type. but some of them very handsome birds ; they extend through 40 The Official Guide to the Cases XVII., XVIII., and XIX., and are found both in the Old and New World. : One of the most beautiful of these is the Belted — I) Wi Mi) SSS My i -_ lh ANH : “Seah ~ VAY NWN THE Harpy EAGLE. From Professor Newton’s “ Dictionary of Birds.” Buzzard Eagle (Antenor unicinctus) Case 16. This bird, departing from the habits of its kind, delights to Norwich Castle Museum. 41 feed on carrion. The birds of the genus SZclornis, Cases 16 and 17, remarkable for their peculiarly spotted plumage, are succeeded by the genus C77caétus, here fully represented; one species, C. fasczolatus (Case 18), of which there are two specimens in the collection, was formerly very rare, it will be found figured in the J/ézs, for the year 1862, Plate III. The genus /felotarsus, short-tailed Eagles of great beauty of plumage, but of rather grotesque appear- ance, are the last of the series of Buzzard Eagles. These birds will be found in Case 18, the last in the room; they are known as “ Bateleur” or Tumblers, from their very peculiar flight at times resembling that of the carrier pigeon. The Bateleurs are great devourers of snakes which they carry away in their talons. It was Mr. Gurney, I believe, who first suggested that it is this species which gave rise to the ancient fable of the Phoenix. Leaving the large room we now go to the bottom of the corridor, on the right-hand side of which we find the next Cases XX. and XXlI., commence with a new class, Maldetus—the Sea Eagles—a magnificent group of powerful birds fre- quenting both salt and fresh water in every quarter of the globe. They prey chiefly on fish, often how- ever, supplemented by other animal food. The largest and most powerful of these Eagles is the Kamskatcha Sea Eagle, the adult of which has a white shoulder; the fine bird with a white head, No. 5, is the Bald Sea Eagle, the National emblem of the United States. On the leg of one of these adult birds will be noticed a chain; it was formerly for many years kept chained to a block at Rackheath, but escaped at night, conpiuity great alarm to the natives, 42 The Official Guide to the Case XXII. contains the Osprey, a fish-eating bird, almost cosmo- — politan in its distribution ; indeed, Professor Newton, in his Dictzonary of Birds, says, “'The countries which it does not frequent would be more easily named than those in which it is found—and amongst the former are Ireland, Iceland, and New Zealand.” It is now a rare bird in Britain, but still nests in one or two local- ities where every endeavour is made to protect it. — There are some slight differences in the Ospreys inhabiting various parts of the Globe, considered by some sufficient to render them specifically distinct. The interesting Indian and Australian genus Halastur follows, three species of which are very similar. | The next genus is that of AZz/vus, containing the Kites, graceful birds on the wing, with long forked tails ; one species, the Common Kite, of which there are lovely specimens in Case XXIll., with nestlings, from Germany, was indeed once com- mon in this country, but is now exceedingly rare, — though still nesting in Wales. Two other species have occurred in Britain, the Black Kite once, and | the still more beautiful Swallow-tailed Kite on two occasions. ‘The various Kites are spread over Africa and Southern and Eastern Asia. Of one species, the Australian Black-breasted Kite (Gypoutinia melano- sternon), the Museum long contained only one wing, which was sent over from the Swan River with other birds’ wings, intended for plumes for hats; we now, however, possess four specimens of this rare bird as well as its eggs. [Small Case 1.] , Nearly allied to the Kites are the Perns, which commence in Norwich Castle Museum. 43 Case XXIV., amongst these will be noticed the Honey Pern or Honey Buzzard, as it is more frequently called (Péernis apivorus), a not unfrequent migrant to this county, where it doubtless formerly bred; but although its favourite food consists of the grubs of wasps, and it is therefore a positive benefactor, it usually falls to the gun of the game preserver. The Long-tailed and Andersson’s Perns are both very rare species, the latter first described by Mr. Gurney from a specimen sent from Damara, S.W. Africa, by Mr. Andersson. The Long-tailed Pern (Henicopernis) was procured in New Guinea by the celebrated traveller, Mr. A. R. Wallace, and the Eastern Keel-billed Pern (Zacherir- hamphus), another rare species, is represented by two specimens from New Guinea and Borneo respectively. Case XXV. also contains some rare birds of the genus Aaza, none of which occur in Europe, but are met with in India, Ceylon, and the Islands of the Indian Ocean. Examples of the Great-billed Baza (B. reinwardii), collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace, in New Guinea, will be found in smali Cases 2 and 3; also of Baza gurneyi—a very rare species from the Solomon Group —-in small Case, No. 2. Passing from these elegant birds we come to the Falcons, some of which are small insect-feeding birds; others are possessed of great powers of flight, and are strictly carnivorous. The extensive genus Z7znunculus is represented by twenty-one species, amongst the rarest are Zinnunculus arthurt (Gurney) from Mombassa, and 7. alopex (Heugl.), the Fox-like Kestrel just added to the collection from Keren, Central Africa. In 44 The Official Guide to the Case XXVI. the first three shelves are still devoted to the Kestrels, amongst them will be recognised our own familiar — species; there is also a fine series of Z. newtont (Gurney) with eggs. Four beautiful specimens of T. caribbearum should be looked for in small Case, No. 6. These birds were sent in spirits from the West Indies by Sir Edward Newton, and in a glass- topped box are the remains of Lizards, &c., which ~ formed the contents of their stomachs. Then follow the red-footed Falcons (Zry¢hropus), one species of the genus has been met with in this county. Polohierax sémitorguatus from Namaqua Land, is also an Interesting species, remarkable for its small size and elegant plumage; and the beautiful series of JZicro- — Aterax or Dwarf Falcons, the smallest of the diurnal birds of prey, albeit very fierce little fellows, from South-Eastern Asia and some of the Islands of the Indian Ocean, will certainly attract attention. Zicro- hierax melanoleucus, presented by Mr. C. B. Rickett, is a recent addition to the collection. The Merlins, including our British species, are also in this case. Cases XXVII., XXVIII., and XXIX. are all occupied by the Falcons, commencing with the Hobbies, one species of which is a well-known sum- mer visitant to Britain, followed by a magnificent series of the Peregrine Falcon and its sub-species, inhabitants of almost every part of the world. In this fine series, which Mr. Gurney was anxious to make as fully representative as possible of the geographical distribution and racial varieties of this widely dis- tributed Falcon, the New World is represented by specimens from Fort Kennedy in the north, to Panama and Chili in the south; and in the Eastern Norwich Castle Museum. 45 Hemisphere from Lapland to the Cape of Good Hope; whilst from east to west there is scarcely a country from California to Japan which does not con- tribute. This is certainly one of the most interesting of the birds of prey, whether we regard it in the light of its beauty, courage, wide distribution, or of the romance attaching to it as the favourite of the falconer in days gone by. ‘The remaining Falcons are also noble birds, fierce yet docile, and formerly | greatly valued by falconers in various parts of the world. There are the Barbary and Babylonian Falcons, the Lanner and the Saker; also the Gyr Falcon, the Iceland, and the Greenland Falcons, of which there are lovely specimens in this case, and eggs of each; also in small Cases, Nos. 9 and 10. Of both the Greenland and the Iceland Falcons there are British-killed specimens in the collection. the former killed near Cromer, and the latter in Rosshire. Case XXX. The next group which claims our attention is rather an extensive one, comprising, according to Mr. Gurney’s arrangement, four genera, known as Buz- zards. They are imposing-looking birds, as a rule much smaller than the Eagles, slow and heavy in flight, deficient in courage as compared with the Falcons, and feeding chiefly on the smaller mammals, reptiles, and insects. They are found to inhabit nearly the whole world, with the exception of the Australian region. One species, the so-called Common Buzzard, was really at the beginning of the present century common in Britain, but notwithstanding its harmless or even beneficial character, it has fallen under the ban of the game preserver, and is doomed. Small Case, No. 12, contains nestling specimens of this bird, 46 The Official Guide to the A white variety, killed at Metz in 1860, will be- observed in small Case 31. Another species of Buz- zard, of frequent occurrence in this county as an autumnal migrant, is known as the Rough- legged Buzzard. As is the case with most birds of prey, these migrants are almost entirely young birds. . Case XXXI. A nearly white variety of Suteo borealis, from Jamaica, is a conspicuous object in this case, and the examples of ZB. solitarius should be noticed as beauti- ful specimens of the taxidermist’s skill. These, like many other lovely specimens of the birds of prey, were mounted by the late Mr. Roberts, who excelled in giving a lifelike character to often very impracticable materials. Case XXXII. The last case in the corridor contains the remainder of the Buzzards. The members of the handsome South American genus Leucoplernis are conspicuous ; one known as ZL. ghtesbrightit, almost pure white, was obtained in Honduras; another specimen will be found in small Case, No. 16. Mr. Gurney remarks that in this species the proportion of black which mingles with the snowy white of the general plumage is greatest in the young birds, and appears to diminish as the age increases. The subject of the illustration, Z. semip/umbea, was killed in Costa Rica in 1890; it is a very rare bird, and its acquisition by the Museum was regarded by Mr. Gurney with much gratification, but we still require three other species to make the series of this genus complete. Returning to the large room, a staircase will be noticed, ascending which we reach the gallery contain- ing the remaining families of the birds of prey. In — o LEUCOPTERNIS SEMIPLUMBEA LAWR, SUI LIA yj “UL, GY 48 The Official Guide to the Case XXXIIl. will be found two exceptional genera, forming a link between the Buzzards and the true Hawks, and known as the Buzzard Hawks. The members of the genus Poliornts (Butastur) are found in Eastern and South- Eastern Asia with one exception, which inhabits Abyssinia and the adjacent countries of Africa, whereas eA & 7 “- @ the genus Asturina (Melerax)* inhabits tropical j America, and one species occurs in the West Indies. — Their habits approach nearer to those of the Buz- zards than of the Hawks, and they are probably more — closely allied to the former than to the latter. In the next Case, No. XXXIV., we arrive at the true Hawks, a large family of nine genera, distinguished by their short wings and elon- gated tails. They are very widely distributed, some member of the family being found in almost every part of the world. A few of the more remarkable forms are Uvospizias wallacit from Lombock, and CU. natalis from Christmas Island ; Leucospizias albus, the Great White Hawk of Australia, and ZL. leucosomus, the Lesser White Hawk of New Guinea, are remark- able as being the only Hawks which have pure white plumage. OU rujitorques, in Case XXX\V., is a beautiful and rare bird from the Fiji Islands, and UY. melanochlamys is striking for the lovely contrast of its rufous and black colours. U. sardinia (Gurney), * In Mr. Gurney’s List of the Diurnal Birds of Prey, he sank the name of folzornzs in favour of Sutastur, and limited Asturtna to one species, . ie | * ale mee ->* Norwich Castle Museum. 49 the type specimen of which is under glass shade, No. 19, was found by Mr. Gurney amongst some skins from the late Sir William Jardine’s collection. It was figured in the /ézs for 1887, Plate III., and remains unique. Next follows the large genus Accipzter, con- taining some thirty species, scattered over the four quarters of the world and many of the oceanic islands. ‘They are “all more or less closely related to our well-known Sparrow-hawk,” says Mr. Gurney, ““which, however, is itself a bird of extended geo- graphical range, being found as far eastward as Japan.” ‘There are in the collection some very rare species belonging to this genus, a beautiful little Sparrow-hawk, found in China and Japan, known as Stevenson’s Hawk, is now more generally recognised by its older name of A. gu/aris. Of this bird we havea fine series. ‘The British Sparrow-hawk is also in this case, specimens of which are shown from widely distant localities. ‘The whole of Case XXXVI. is devoted to birds of this genus, amongst which should be noticed A. minul/us from Damara Land, A. harilaubt (type specimen) from Bissao, West Africa, A. rufotibialis, and many others. The first three shelves in Case XXXVII. also contain some rare Sparrow-hawks, notably a fine series of A. melanoleucus from Natal, in all stages of plumage. Several of the specimens in this genus have been figured either in the /ézs or in Sclater and Salvin’s Lxotic Ornithology. On the bottom shelf of this case are a fine series of birds of the genus Scelospiztas, including S. pusil/us (Gurney), figured D 50 The Official Guide to the by Joseph Wolf, in the Zézs, 1864, Plate VII.; and one of the African short-toed Hawks, which also extend into Case XXXVIII., where will be noticed S. wxduliventer, Riippell’s Hawk, from Cape Coast and West Africa, a bird with many synonyms, including S. ¢b¢zalzs (Verreaux), of which we have the type under bell glass, No. 20. Some beautiful birds of the genus Cooferastur will also be found in this case, amongst them the South American Capped Hawk, C. pileatus, C. coopert, Stanley’s Hawk, and the rare guttatus and pectorals. Case XXXIX. commences the Goshawks. Lophosfizias, the first genus, contains two or three species known as the Crested Goshawks, natives of Scuth-Eastern Asia and the adjoining islands, followed by “7ythrotriorchis yvadiatus from Australia, the Radiated Hawk, which brings us to the typical genus of the family Astur, — first amongst which is A. palumbarius, the European Goshawk, now only a rare visitor to this country, but formerly much prized by falconers. It is a bird of great power and courage, inhabiting most parts of Europe, the temperate regions of Asia, and parts of Northern Africa. A. striatulus and A. hensti may be pointed out as very rare birds. ‘Two of the equally rare West African Long-tailed Goshawks ( Uvotriorchis macrurus), from the Fantee country, one of which, the first ever brought to this country, was figured in the /ézs for 1870, are in this case, as well as AZelerax musicus, the South African Chanting Hawk. Case XL. contains other species of JAZelerax and the co-type Norwich Castle Museum. 51 specimen of JZficrastur amaurus (Gurney), from Panama. Geranospizias gracilis and G. nivra are also very handsome and noteworthy species from South America. Case XLI. introduces us to the last group of the diurnal birds of prey known as the Harriers. These birds have a distinct facial disk resembling that so noticeable in the Owls, and are therefore regarded by some systematists as a connecting link between the Hawks and the Owls. ‘There is, however, no alliance osteologically between them. ‘The single genus Circus contains, according to Mr. Gurney, eighteen species and one sub-species, all but three of which are in the Museum collection. They have a very wide geographical distribution, the range of some, as pointed out by Professor Newton in the Diuctonary of Birds, being exceedingly wide, whilst that of others is very limited. ‘Three species were formerly numerous in some parts of Britain, but their numbers have greatly decreased. In suitable localities in the County of Norfolk at the beginning of this century they were found in considerable numbers ; but at the present day, from various causes, they are, especially the Hen Harrier, very rare birds. The collection contains a large series of Hen Harriers (C. cyaneus) from very various localities,—Persia, East Siberia, Himalaya, Nepal, Oudh, and Japan. Five adult males in a case by themselves in the British collection were killed many years ago in Cambridgeshire. The nearly-allied species, C. Audsonius, from North America, is also represented by numerous specimens in all stages of plumage, also eggs collected by Mr. D. L. Thorpe. C. macrurus, Swainson’s Harrier, a widely-distributed species, is equally well represented 52 The Official Guide to the by localities. The same may also be said of Montagu’s Harrier (C. cinereus), of which there is a melanistic — variety, killed in France. | | Case XLII. is also devoted to the Harriers. There are three specimens of the rare C. mazllardi |and in small Case 21] from the Island of Reunion, to which this bird is confined; but unfortunately ours are all — immature. The type of C. macrosceles, obtained by Sir Edward Newton in Madagascar, also other specimens, ten in all, of this Harrier will be found in small Cases 22 and 23. A very prettily-displayed example of C. maculusus from Brazil will be noticed. Case XLIII. contains the remainder of the Harriers, consisting of a fine series of C. approximans, Gould’s Harrier, an Australian species, and an even larger series of C. eruginosus, the British Marsh Harrier, from South Africa, India, and other localities. This splendid array of Harriers consists of 268 mounted birds and skins, several skeletons, and many eggs. STRIGES. The Strviges or Owls are quaint but beautiful birds, clothed in soft and abundant feathers, noiseless in flight, at night keen of sight, having eyes peculiarly adapted for adjustment to their nocturnal habits, and ears furnished, in some species, with orifices of extraordinary dimensions.