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Natural History

 

Squirrel Stoat
Grey Squirrel Stoat

 

The Natural History section comprises specimens of animals and birds mostly representative of those species that occur in the local district including such rarities as Ivory Gull and Great Gipsy Shrike. Birds-of-prey, both diurnal raptors and owls are well represented, probably obtained as a result of gamekeeper activity over the 19th century.

Birds
Birds

 

Moorhen Pheasant
Moorhen Pheasant

 

Other bird families are appropriately displayed and there is also an interesting range of albinos and melanistic individuals. The former extensive collection of birds eggs on show has now been transferred into storage and replaced by a much smaller range, housed in the relevant bird's nests. making for a far more natural, informative, and visually attractive feature.

Moth Moth
Oleander Hawkmoth Death's Head Hawkmoth

 

Quite a number of the cabinet displays have been revamped over the last few years and a new introduction is that of a comprehensive range of British lepidoptera, previously held in storage.

Other aspects of this section include a number of cabinets devoted to specimens of marine life providing interesting exhibits, the pick of which is undoubtedly the sea turtle along with the fascinating account of its origin. Arguably more exotic attractions are the colourful displays of tropical butterflies, the cabinet specimens of Indonesian birds (over 100 years old), and the imposing complete skeleton of a narwhal.

Pigeon
Pigeon

 

However pride of place among the exhibits goes to the much prized specimen of the North American Passenger Pigeon. Regrettably the Museum has no provenance for this valuable item but considers itself extremely fortunate to have a representative of this beautiful but sadly long-extinct species in its possession.

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This page was last updated on 15th July 2006
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