American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus: an historic first for Essex
Acknowledgements
According to Joseph Clarke's obituary (Fitch 1895), "he was (he sole means of keeping together the
collections during the long period in which the museum was almost wholly neglected, prior to its
resuscitation by the late Mr Geo Stacey Gibson in 1882. " Consequently, without Joseph Clarke, this
specimen would not even be under consideration now. The Saffron Walden Natural History Society
formed in 1832 was responsible for the creation of the Museum (Pole 1985). Jabez Gibson was a
founder member and trustee of this society, a group known as The Philosophers (Jacqueline Cooper
pers. comm.). Joseph Clarke's invaluable, annotated labels have helped in the production of this
document and, along with other documentation of his, GN. Maynard was even able to complete his
accession register in 1897.
I would particularly like to thank Sarah Kenyon and all staff of the Saffron Walden Museum for
their considerable help and assistance with this research project. This record could not have been
substantiated without Sarah's invaluable knowledge.
I would also like to thank the following in this exhaustive enquiry;
Simon Wood and Russell Neave for taking me to the museum and discussing the specimen's
circumstances regularly over the next 12 months.
Dr Simon Cox, Simon Wood, Graham Ekins, Mike Rogers of BBRC, Roy Cornhill, Jeff
Delve, Russell Neave, Stan Hudgell, Greg Bond and Peter Evans for commenting on earlier
drafts of this paper.
Graham Ekins for visiting the museum to produce a detailed description (Appendix A) and
moult analysis.
Dr J.T.R. Sharrock for contacting Ian Dawson on my behalf re Seebohm references.
Ian Dawson for retrieving the 1883-85 Seebohm reference and putting me in contact with
Effie Warr.
Effie Warr, Assistant Librarian of the Natural History Museum (NHM), for finding the Bridson
et al. (1980) and Clarke (1839) references in very quick time. For online book or manuscript
enquiries, check the NHM web site: http://www.nhm.ac,uk/'
Mike Rogers, Secretary of the British Birds' Rarities Committee, is especially thanked for
providing further references and advice and for commenting on an earlier draft, before the
record was submitted formally to BOURC.
Dr A.R Lewis, Curatorial Officer at the National Register of Archives, for supplying details
of the Bridson et al. (1980) reference. For online manuscript enquiries, check the web site;
h ttp: //www.hmc. gov.uk/
Jacqueline Cooper, Secretary of the Saffron Walden Archives Society, is especially
thanked for much invaluable advice and for providing various contemporary references.
Essex Record Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6YT, gave much useful advice
regarding 1826 archives and arranged access to the Audley End material and other documents.
Check the web site for online enquiries:- http://w,ww.essexcc.gov.uk/heritage/ero/default.htm
Martyn Everett of the Saffron Walden Library, 2 King Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB 10
1 ES, is thanked for locating various references and for his advice on the 1826 period.
Gareth Hughes of English Heritage for organising access to the Audley End House bird
collection and catalogues.
Dr Peter Allen, President of the Essex Field Club, is especially thanked for allowing me
access to the club's museum in very difficult circumstances after the Passmore Edwards
Museum had been moved from Newham, London, to Essex.
Terry Norrington, a genealogist specialising in the Travis family, is thanked for providing
information regarding William Travis.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)