36
THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
skins which are of special interest in connection with the county,
comprise, among others, the three Parrot Crossbills shot at Lexden in
1862, a Scaup and many other ducks shot in the neighbourhood of
Colchester, as mentioned hereafter under the various species. Among
the bones are those of the Peldon Vulture, Essex specimens of the
White-fronted and Pink-footed Geese, &c. &c. Mr. Harwood
informs me that a great number of Dr. Bree's stuffed specimens were
sold shortly before his death, when he also disposed of his very fine
collection of eggs, which realised no less than £200. Mrs. Bree
herself, however, still retains a considerable number of Dr. Bree's
specimens, including some from Essex, at her house at Colchester.
They are well preserved and well cased. Among them are four
Sand Grouse shot in the county in 1863. Other of Dr. Bree's
specimens are in the possession of Mr. Elwes of East Hill, Col-
chester; Mr. H. Cameron of Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent; the Rev.
E. Bree of Moulton, Spalding; and Captain Henniker.
The Colchester Museum Collection is not of great preten-
sions, and is not very extensive, either as regards the number of speci-
mens or the number of species represented. It is accommodated in a
small though not unsuitable room in the Borough Museum in the
Castle, where it is under the efficient care of Mr. F. Spalding, and it
is mainly, if not wholly, the property of the Colchester Natural His-
tory Society. A majority of the specimens are very well stuffed and
separately cased, and these are in good condition, though of consi-
derable age, but the rest are in a bad state. The former are, in all
probability, the work of the late Dr. Maclean, as they were formerly
in his possession. The most valuable specimen in the collection is
the Nutcracker from Horkesley, but there are several other interest-
ing specimens which were probably shot in the neighbourhood. As,
however, the cases bear no inscriptions beside the bare names of the
species, it is difficult to be certain of their history. In the Harsnett
Library, which is also preserved in the Castle, is a small collection
of birds, shot in the neighbourhood, belonging to Mr. J. Round, M.P.
The Hope Collection, the property of Mr. G. P. Hope, of
Upminster Hall, near Romford, is of considerable extent and con-
tains many interesting specimens, as will be found noticed in the fol-
lowing pages. A large proportion of the birds are of Mr. Hope's own
shooting and stuffing, and were mostly obtained in Essex and Suffolk.
The Hoy Collection, now the property of Mr. J. F. Lescher,
of Boyle's Court, Brentwood, is still preserved at that place, and is
without question the most valuable in the county, though there