Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/153

Rh work has been given to the undertaking, and an enormous amount still remains to be done. The root idea is to prepare a collection of every species of British bird. This in itself does not appear a very formidable task, since there are only about 415 different kinds. But it is stipulated also that each bird should be presented at every stage of its existence, from the egg to the adult male and female, and, moreover, should be placed in a scene resembling its natural habitat. This means, of course, that the number of different birds which have to be collected and stuffed amounts not to hundreds but to thousands, and with no two alike. Take, for example, the Yellowhammer. In the first place, Mr. Coburn found a Yellowhammer's nest in a wild rose tree. Then, with incredible patience, he set to work, and patiently reproduced that scene in a case about five feet by three feet, with a depth of two feet six inches. The branches, twigs, and leaves of the tree were all faithfully imitated, and, as twenty-three gross of leaves were required, and each had to go through eleven distinct processes, the task was almost comparable with that of Sisyphus. But when that was finished, the real work had only begun. Just as the would-be cook is instructed first to catch his hare, so Mr. Coburn had to provide himself with Yellowhammers in every stage of development. Moreover, the adults vary considerably, so representatives of different types were included. Altogether, fifty specimens were necessary. Then each bird had to be stuffed—and in a collection on the lines indicated this is a matter requiring the most exact knowledge, as well as careful workmanship. Finally came the arrangement of the birds in the case. One nest containing eggs was fixed in the bush. As Yellowhammers build also on the ground, another nest was placed there, containing young. A bird just out of the nest, with its beak open to receive food from a parent close by, was the next object of attention. Then on the twigs of the bush were displayed the remaining birds in their different stages, and also the adults in characteristic attitudes. When, ultimately, the case was completed, Mr. Coburn had the satisfaction of knowing that he had disposed of one species.

At the present time forty species have been completed, and material has been collected for more than 250 of the remainder. For some birds—such as the Great Northern Diver—three separate cases are needed, and for the Heron there are two cases, each five feet wide and four feet six inches high. Of course, when the collection is completed it will be absolutely unique. It is declared that it will take absolutely the first place in the British ornithological world, easily surpassing the most famous collections of to-day. Certainly a very large hall—comparable in size with the Birmingham Town Hall—will be