300 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Octagonal Plate, 81/2 inches diameter, with applied "prunus"
sprigs in white, and with famille rose decoration in the
Cavetto centre ; circa 1750-55. (Cf. Plate 13a in Hurlbutt's
"Bow Porcelain," 1926.) Presented by Mr. Crow.2
In addition to the above donations, the Museum possesses
a Bow Porcelain Cup, all-white with sprigged applied ornament ;
circa 1750.3 Presented in 1934 by Mr. R. G. Williment, of
Brentwood ; also a number of sherds, both biscuit and coloured
ware, some twisted in the firing, found in May, 1936, on
Messrs. Wilmer's premises in the High Street, Stratford, N.W.
side.
Mr. Crow has also presented an old Spode Plate, 81/4 inches
diameter, painted in blue on white, with view of Old Bow
Bridge.
SUBORDINATE MARKINGS OF FEATHERS OF BIRDS.
By WILLIAM E. GLEGG, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
[Read February 23rd, 1946.]
IN 1944 I conducted an enquiry (cf. The Ibis, 1944, pp. 511-16),
the purpose of which was to determine how many species
were affected by these markings, which may be described as
bars, in what part of the plumage they appeared and whether
sex, age, locality, season or colour have any bearing on the
appearance of this feature. To control the extent of the enquiry
it was decided to confine it to birds on the British List. The plan
for the material was to examine an adult male and female and
immature male and female of each species in so far as specimens
were available. A total of 935 skins was examined, this number
being composed of 385 adult male, 341 adult female, 94 immature
male, 79 immature female, 18 adult unsexed and 18 immature
unsexed. These figures include a series of twelve birds very
much affected by albinism and a series of twenty Blackbirds.
The countries from which the skins came are too numerous to
mention, and for the sake of brevity it may be said that they came
from all over the world.
2 Hurlbutt's description of this piece is "This is a very beautiful octagonal Bow porcelain
plate, 81/2in. across, decorated with applied prunus sprays on the border, interspaced with
flowers ; the Cavetto, or hollow centre, being painted, with a Chinese rock and flowers, in
fine raised enamels, in the famille rose manner. This is a very striking plate and has a milky
body and fine clear unctuous glaze. It would appear to be of early make, probably about
1750-55. No mark."
3 Hurlbutt states that all European pieces of white glazed prunus sprigged ware were
copied, either directly or indirectly, from the earlier Fuchien ware of China.