American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus: an historic first for Essex
(B) "Valuation of Specimens deposited in the Museum of the Natural History Society at
Saffron Walden, Essex, before the admission of Trustees"
The next systematic order of specimens commences on page 27. On page 35, the 5th Order Graillae
begins and on page 36, under herons there arc two Bitterns listed (table shown vertically, instead of
horizontally):-
Number 478 479
Linnaean Names A. stellaris "
Common names Bittern m: f
Cost 3 6 1 0 0
Value
Where shot at Norfolk
Who set up by SS Travers Senr
Donor's names JhC JG
No locality nor date is given, but the sex (f), cost, artist and donor all tally with the entries in (A)
above.
The section of 'Miscellaneous British Birds7 commences on page 44 with entries for three Bitterns
on page 47:
General Remarks for #956; 'in case with Lapwings &c'
The data given for #956 are for another specimen from Saffron Walden. In the Accession Register
for 1832-1880/81 (Maynard 1897, page 3), there is a donation from a Mr Davis of Radwinter, who
on 10th Oct 1833 presented birds in cases (Nos. 64-188) on loan and a black Hare. This is confirmed
in the hand-written SWNHS Minutes No. 1 1832 to 10 April 1834, where "At a meeting of the
Society held October 101' 1833... Received a loan of Birds in Cases and a Black Hare from W.
Davies of Radwinter. " There is only one Davis mentioned in Maynard (1897): on page 3 showing
this donation and also on page 587, which cross-references donors to specimens with 'Davis Mr of
Radwinter'. This donation therefore must have included specimen #956.
The details for #957 do not tie up exactly with #479 above, with contradictory details being m
(male) and cost 12 shillings, as opposed to female and £1 0 0 elsewhere. This #957 entry may record
a second bittern from Jabez Gibson or the details for #479 have been recorded again and incorrectly.
Note no locality nor date information is given again. It is not clear why data should be repeated with
some details missing or apparently erroneous and also with Joseph Clarke's Norfolk specimen not
featured. However, no section in the Scientific Order or Valuations listed all four specimens together.
As there is no cross-reference to #957, but there are for the other three specimens, it is thought that
26
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)