Victorian Taxidermy (www.taxidermy4cash.com)

During this period collecting and mounting of bothFebruary.
taxidermy birds and animals was undertaken on aGame birds may only be sold dead during the
commercial scale. Routinely specimens wereopen season and for a period of up to 10 days
collected from the wild in a random fashion. Birds,immediately after the end of that season.
chicks and eggs were taken for scientificExhibition of Wild Birds
purposes and arranged in as natural representationIt is an offence to show at any competition, or in
as possible. It is however interesting to observe,premises in which a competition is being held, any
when "stuffers" obtained specimens that they didlive wild birds unless listed on Schedule 3, Part I
not observe in the wild, and the almost comicaland ringed in accordance with the Secretary of
presenting of what was meant to be both aState's regulations.
natural pose and environment. Thankfully theseKilling and Taking Birds
individuals were in the minority. For the bestA number of methods of killing, injuring or taking
examples of antique taxidermy to survive thatbirds are prohibited. These include gins, springs,
era, it is best to observe the works by:traps leg pole traps), snares, nets, bird lime,
- Henry Wardelectrical scaring devices and poisonous or
- Rowland Wardstupefying substances; bows or crossbows,
- Peter Spicerexplosives (other than firearm ammunition), any
- William Hutchingsgas or smoke, chemical wetting agent, artificial
- James Gardnerlight, mirror or dazzling device, device for
Above are just my personal view of who createdilluminating target or sighting device for night
the best cases, you may feel free to disagree.shooting, automatic or semi-automatic weapon
However during the above period, almost every(unless it is incapable of holding more than 2
small town in the UK has a resident taxidermistrounds in the magazine), or shotgun with an
plying their trade as a side line to moreinternal diameter at muzzle more than 1 3/4
conventional employment.inches.
They heyday of this form of taxidermy displayThe use of sound recordings and decoys of live
was realistically from around 1875- until 1920.birds tethered, blinded or maimed is illegal. It is also
Companies such as Rowland Ward, Peter Spiceran offence to cause or permit such methods to
continued after that period, but interest inbe used. Larsen traps (in which a magpie is kept in
Victoriana, was superseded by Art Deco, anda cage) are legal so long as the captive magpie is
therefore cases of dead animals seemed to haveproperly looked after.
no place. It was not until 1970 onwards did thereIt is an offence to use any mechanically propelled
appear to be resurgence in this subject and todayvehicle - including boats - in immediate pursuit of a
taxidermy historical cases produced by the greatwild bird to kill or take it.
firms now command thousands of pounds andIt is an offence for any person to organise or
are now collected widely.participate in any event where captive birds of
It is interesting to note however that these itemsany sort are liberated to be shot immediately
were never cheap in their heyday and I supposeafter liberation, or for a landowner or occupier to
that given their notional value now, it might notpermit use of land for such an event.
represent a good investment, when you take intoBirds in Captivity
account the "time value of money" principle.In addition to the registration requirements for
Given the resurgence, brought about in part bybirds of prey and certain other Schedule 1 species
the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection mainly(see Basic Protection), it is illegal to keep any bird
produced by Victorian Taxidermist Walter Potter(excluding poultry) in a cage or other receptacle
of Bramber in West Sussex. This collection waswhich is not of sufficient size to permit the bird to
sold for around £475,000.stretch its wings freely in all directions. Exceptions
America Taxidermyto this are if the bird is undergoing veterinary
The origins of taxidermy can be traced back totreatment, is in the course of conveyance or is
the ancient practice of preserving trophies frombeing exhibited: in the latter case the time the bird
the hunt. But its modern development arose fromis so confined should not exceed an aggregate of
the interest in natural science that emerged during72 hours.
the 17th century. In the 19th century taxidermyAttempting to Commit An Offence
became firmly established as a museum art inIt is an offence to attempt to commit any
such commercial houses as Maison Verreaux inoffence or have in one's possession anything
Paris and Ward's Natural Science Establishment incapable of being used to commit an offence.
Rochester, N.Y.Exceptions
One of the most noted American experts in theThe most notable exceptions to the above
field was Carl E. Akeley (1864-1926), who firstprovisions are:
worked at Ward's before moving on to the FieldAn authorised person (e.g. a landowner or
Museum of Natural History in Chicago and theoccupier) may kill or take so called 'pest species'
American Museum of Natural History in New Yorkand destroy or take the nest or eggs of such a
City. He is credited with developing the taxidermicbird. This is permissible under the terms of general
method of mounting museum displays to showlicenses issued by government departments.
how animals looked in their natural surroundings.A person charged with killing or attempting to kill a
He did this by showing animals in positionswild bird, other than one included on Schedule 1,
suggesting great activity; he also used real orshall not be guilty of an offence if he can show
artificial vegetation and painted backgrounds tohis action was necessary for the purpose of
give an idea of habitat. Akeley's goal was to usepreserving public health or air safety, preventing
taxidermy to create a panorama of Africa and itsspread of disease or preventing serious damage
big game in museums across the United States.to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops,
His method of mounting skin on a finely moldedvegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries (see
replica of the body of an animal yielded resultslicenses).
with a degree of realism that had not beenA person may take or kill (or injure in attempting
created before. His contributions elevatedto kill), a bird listed on Schedule 2, Part I outside
taxidermy from a craft to an art form.the close season.
Taxidermy - The stuff memories are made of.Anyone may remove and destroy addled eggs
Kim McDonaldbut they must not be kept or sold.
Having been asked, some time ago to write anAuthorised persons may take wild mallards' eggs
article for this directory, I finally sit down, threefor breeding, but the young birds must be
days before the deadline and put pen to paper -released into the wild by 31 July. Wild mallard eggs
or as modern times dictate, fiddle with myand progeny cannot be sold. Wild eggs must not
computer. The next problem is what to writebe taken later than 31 March in England and
about. Do I throw at the reader "A do it yourselfWales, or 10 April in Scotland.
guide to stuffing"?, No - I would need the wholeAnybody can use nets to take wild duck in a
book to do that. Do I rant and rave about theduck decoy which was in use prior to 1954.
wonderful system of taxidermy licensing that hasAnybody can use a cage or net to take any
been bestowed upon us or pay homage to thegame bird for breeding, but it remains unlawful to
Article 10 - Hell no, that would also need a booknet any bird in flight or on the ground with a net
and it wouldn't change a thing, although pressure isnot propelled by hand. An obvious example of this
having some effect. Do I take the opportunity tois bird-ringing for scientific purposes, which almost
do a three page advert for myself, hmm, a goodalways requires the netting of birds in flight. This
idea but then the editor might charge me, soactivity can therefore only be undertaken by a
instead I will give you the best advice I can onlicensed person.
what to do, should you decide to have aA person may take a wild bird if he can satisfy
taxidermy specimen mounted. This will, withoutthe court the bird had been injured other than by
apology, project into the limelight, a group ofhis own hand and that his sole purpose was to
dedicated exponents of the taxidermy art knowntend it and then release it when no longer
as the Guild of Taxidermists. Why should Idisabled; or he may kill it if he can prove it was so
advertise the Guild? - Simple, I happen to be theseriously disabled as to be beyond recovery. Sick
Chairman and I know what benefits it can presentand injured birds listed on Schedule 4 should be
the client - that is you. So, let us presume youregistered with the Department of the
have found yourself in the unfortunate position ofEnvironment or passed to an approved keeper.
losing (by way of death) a specimen - a valuedEgg Collections
friend, one of your flock, worth God knows what,Under Section 1(3) of the Act, egg collectors may
in time, money and sentimentalitybe required to show that any eggs in their
It happens to us all. Basically, you are presentedpossession were lawfully obtained. This means
with three choices:- - you can, with or without thethat they must either have been obtained under
aid of volley of shots fired over the intendedlicense, or form part of a collection which was
burial site, intern it in a wooden casket and returnassembled prior to 1954.
it to the earth or be even more illustrious, if it isLicences
of Scandinavian origin, give it a Viking send off. -Licenses may be issued by government
you can place it in the freezer immediately anddepartments to kill or take birds and/or eggs for
then ring up the nearest taxidermist and sell thethe following purposes:
carcass - it will have a value. It may notScientific or educational
necessarily be enough to purchase a newRinging or marking
taxidermy specimen but it will recoup some ofConserving wild birds
the financial loss- or again, place it in the freezerProtecting any collection of wild birds
and elect to have it mounted, set up, or to put itFalconry or aviculture
bluntly, stuffed. Actually, we in the trade do notTaxidermy
like the word "stuffed". It conjures up visions of aPreserving public health or air safety
boggle eyed monster in a glass fronted box,Preventing serious damage to livestock,
unnaturally taxidermy posed and hanging on thefoodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables,
wall of a old museum. These days, a goodfruit,growing timber or fisheries
taxidermist will model your specimen into anKilling a gannet for food on the island of Sula Sgeir
anatomically correct position and bear witness toTaking a gull's egg for food
its traits and idiosyncrasies. In other words,Taking a lapwing's egg for food before 15 April
providing you pick the right artist, you will get aLicenses may also be granted for the sale of live
job worthy of that specimen.birds (except those listed on Schedule 3, Part I)
Who then is the right person for the job? Youand the sale of dead birds or their parts; for
may already know of a taxidermist and you mayscientific examination and photography of a
already be happy with the work. Great, but if youSchedule 1 species at its nest and for the public
don't, it can be a taxing decisionYou presumablyexhibition or competition of birds not listed on
will dive into the yellow pages or if you areSchedule 3, Part I.
computer minded, trawl through various websites,Falconry
both sources being full of advertisers claiming toFalconers can obtain a quarry license to take wild
be the best. So now you know of loads ofbirds with birds of prey, for example taking a
taxidermists, but which one is best suited? Well,skylark with a merlin. This is not necessary to
help is at hand. The best place to start is the Guildtake game birds, but a game license must be
of Taxidermists. Why?, well we run the onlyobtained from a post office. Schedule 2 birds may
qualification in the U.K. available to the trade. Thealso be taken without a quarry or game license
qualifications are earned by way of "credits" whichunder certain circumstances- under a general
are mounted specimens judged by a panel to belicense when causing serious damage to agriculture
of an acceptable standard.. A member must gainor for the purpose of conserving wild birds.
six credits in any one particular field (Bird,Fines & penalties
Mammal, Fish/Reptile, Head Mount) before he orThe maximum fine that can be imposed in
she becomes a "Specialist". Likewise anrespect of a single bird, nest or egg receiving
"Accredited" member has to earn six "credits"ordinary protection is £1,000. For offences
including Birds, Mammals and Fish/Reptile to attaininvolving a Schedule 1 species or an illegal method
that title. Judging is not just a case of saying " ohof killing (e.g. poisoning) the maximum is
I like that, that's a pass", The panel of three£5,000. In recent years these fines have
judges plus an adjudicator (all of whom arebeen rarely applied, but on a few occasions there
qualified taxidermists) has to be satisfied that ahave been very heavy fines or even
specimen has passed a required standard. Aimprisonment applied for offences under this Act,
standard some say is often, if anything, erringin particular for egg-collecting which has been very
towards being too strict. However, a line is drawnproactively prosecuted.
and if the work doesn't come up to scratch, itSome interesting financial information to consider
doesn't earn a "credit". A "Master " has to earnWe have been following the resurgence of this
three "higher category credits" in each field to beTaxidermy over the last 18 months following the
awarded the top qualification. The judging of thosedisposal of the Jamaica Inn collection. Prices have
credits is done by the panel plus all taxidermistsbeen steadily creeping ever upwards. Recent
present at our annual Conference.review of the situation has provided an insight into
Consequently they are a rare achievement. Wethis. Data has been collected over this period from
have however among our members a few whoEBay, Auction houses and collectors selling to
are well on their way to a Master, having gainedcollectors. Some 126 cases (Ward, Cooper,
qualification in one or more fields. The Guild will beGardner, Spicer), etc, etc, have been disposed of
able to advise you of who in your locality is suchthat we know of giving a sale total of
a member and what they specialise in. If there is£85,332. This equates to an average price
no one in your area we will point you to aper taxidermy case now selling for £677.23,
selection of the nearest. At this point, it is onlywhich in our opinion is perhaps the highest
fair to say that not all taxidermists are membersaverage cost per case seen in recent times.
of the Guild. There are a few lost souls out thereWe have no American data to compare this
and one or two are quite good. Likewise, not alltrend and this does not include the sale of the
members of the Guild are Accredited, Specialistscollection of Taxidermy @ Jamaica Inn, which
or Masters. Whatever your choice, care of thefetched some £475,000
specimen does not end as soon as it dies. It isThere has also been the suggestion that due to
imperative that the carcass is frozen as soonincreased demand for this subject, items are
after death as possible. It should be well wrappedbecomming increasingly rare to find. Whilst this is
- a polybag or two or a tupperware box oftentrue, it is our opinion that taxidermy cases are
calms the wife down. The bird treated with thenot rare, just currently unavailable for purchase.
respect it deserves, not just chucked into theLimited discussions with some taxidermy
corner of the freezer.collectors on a confidential basis, shows that in our
It is also no good burying it and then 2 weekssome circle, there are some 4000 cases in
later deciding you want it mounted and digging itprivate hands, let alone those people we do not
up. Believe me, that has happenedThe condition ofknow and specimens that reside in museums and
your specimen will dictate the standard of thethe like. The Victorians were certainly prolific in
finished item. Miracles can happen and often do,their output.
but if the plumage is in poor condition, this, withI am always interested in facts associated with
possibly a slight improvement once washed andTaxidermy. I am currently composing a document
lustred, will show on the finished mount, as willwhich compares prices of taxidermy collection
one leg or a bald head. As I say miracles canthat have sold recently. Whilst this is of limited
sometimes be performed, spare part surgery isvalue currently, in a few years time it may prove
possible, but at a cost That little word "cost" isvaluable when considering the inevitable "trends" in
also a dictating factor. What will it cost? Well that'sfashion. I wonder say whether taxidermy will be a
down to the particular taxidermist. However as avaluable in 15 years time as it appears to be
guide, should you be quoted £50 to mount atoday. If you have any data which you may feel
Peregrine or for that matter £50 foris suitable for research then please send it either
anything, be very wary. Better still, put the phoneto or Victorian-taxidermy.com, we would be very
down. Without tying anybody down to a particularpleased to receive it Many thanks for your time.
rate, a Peregrine is more likely to cost in theArguably the founding father of Victorian
region of £275. and that's without a case. ATaxidermy, Walter Potter was born on July 2nd
Barn Owl, say £175 to £280. On the1835 in the village of Bramber near Steyning in
other side of the coin, if you are quotedWest Sussex.
£1000 for the same job, seek a secondVery little remains of this today and the actual
opinion. Another clue to your taxidermistssite is now a house. No plaque commemorates
"standing" is often the time taken to completethis man's taxidermy achievements in this art
your order. If you are quoted "it will be finishedform. Walter is possible most famous for the
next week" forget it."The Death and Burial of Cock Robin". (23rd
That is generally a good pointer to a taxidermist'sSeptember 03 The Victorian Taxidermy
reputation. Obviously, in this case, they haven'tCompany ltd successfully purchased this most
got much work and it begs the question, why?important case following the dismemberment of
Foot and Mouth scares apart (this slows down thethe Jamaica Inn collection)
amount of work coming in - especially of Fish andThe Cock Robin tableau attracted much public
Deer) most good taxidermists will have at leastattention that encouraged Walter to pursue his
three to six months work and often more to dohobby and produce further tableaux depicting
before getting to your order. So if you aregroups of animals behaving as though they were
quoted six months, don't worry - at least othertiny humans. Potter quickly became the leading
people must be satisfied for that practice to haveexponent of this kind of taxidermy and his
so much work. A bird the size of a Peregrine cancollection expanded sufficiently to require a special
take a day or more to mount and two or threebuilding that was constructed across the road
weeks to dry. If ordering a case as well, it cannotfrom the Inn, now a public car park. . The
be sealed until the specimen is completely dried. Itcollection was moved to Brighton where it opened
could be done in a week but it might not lastfor its 112th season and then it was relocated
much longer. Whatever your requirement, theagain to the Old Post Office in Arundel where it
Guild is there for the good of the trade. Toremained for some 15 years, prior to its final
achieve that it must give the best advice availablemuseum resting place at Jamaica Inn. The
to the customer. Although our members are notdispersal (Globally) of this art form took place on
tied to a contract with the Guild - they operate23/24th September 2003 by Bonham's, achieving
with a free hand - they are however, subject tosome £475,000 approximately at auction. I
a code of conduct and do not wish to bring thewonder what old man Potter would have made
Guild or the trade into disrepute. We've had noof this had he been there.?.
complaint so far.Sometimes the Victorians got it wrong
Tuesday August 8, 2006 The GuardianThe public's enthusiasm for such displays was
Emily Mayer's studio is not for the squeamish,huge and the need to impress often led to faux
especially squeamish dog-lovers. Inside the formerpas. In Britain, for example, a fossilised spike from
workhouse hospital, three very alive Jackan iguanodon's nose was famously exhibited as its
Russell-chihuahua crosses gambol among an ark ofbig thumb. The Victorian Museum was a place to
deceased relatives. Rosie the border collie reclinesexperience awe, education, titillation and man's
on a purple sofa. Bertha the foxhound lies, pawspower over nature. Exhibits became trophies and
crossed, on a workbench. A fox is curled inside awere displayed as such. The most popular exhibits
suitcase. Finally, there is The Dog's Bollocks, ain the Dublin museum are the fossilised skeleton
taxidermied rat that Mayer believes is her mostof the extinct giant Irish deer, which is higher than
perfectly recreated rodent yet. He is rolling a jara horse and with antlers as wide again, and the
containing a pair of canine testicles. They cameskeleton of a blue whale. Suspended from the
from her neighbour's randy dog, who got theceiling, this runs almost the full length of the hall.
chop. When not turning strong stomachs,What is striking about this natural history collection
taxidermy has long aroused strong emotions. Foris the unnatural nature of it. Victorian taxidermists
many, a childhood fascination for the glassy-eyedwould probably never have seen most of the
inhabitants of the Natural History Museum endsanimals alive, so they had to use their imaginations
when teenage indignation at the abuse of animalsin striking poses. Some of the results are bizarre.
kicks in. For generations, the art of preservingWhat Price Natural History Collections, or 'Why do
dead creatures has been considered at worstwe need all these bloody mice?' by Charles Pettitt,
barbaric and at best a relic of 19th-centuryManchester Museum [publ. 1991 in Mus. Journal 91
colonialism.(8): 25-28]
Now, however, a new breed of artists andThe Under-valuation of Natural History Collections
collectors are discovering taxidermy. A manky'Why do we need all these bloody mice?' is a
hoof or a moth-eaten fox head that oncequestion once asked by the leader of a large local
adorned your granny's spare room is probablyauthority on a visit to the research collections of
propped on the wall of an expensive restaurant. Aa major museum. In many ways this sums up
new shop selling taxidermy is opening next year inthe attitude of most politicians. The attitude of
London's achingly fashionable Shoreditch. Katethe public, on the other hand, is encapsulated in
Moss has just spent several thousand pounds onthe words of a car sticker, 'Preserve wild life -
a piece of taxidermy sculpture - a dead bluetit onPickle a squirrel', which surely indicates that the
a prayer book - by the east London-based artistpublic mistakenly view natural history museums as
Polly Morgan. Mayer, an artist and taxidermist whoplaces haunted by necrophiliacs interested only in
has quietly worked in south Norfolk for a decade,dead material. Even some naturalists nowadays
has A-list clients including restaurateur Marcofail to recognise the relevance of museum natural
Pierre White and artist Damien Hirst, with whomhistory collections.
she has collaborated on a number of works.The use to society of natural history collections is
Taxidermy is also returning to the mainstream:enormous, but too often their value is poorly
ordinary punters are buying antiques on eBay andunderstood by the public and by politicians. The
at auctions, while a new novel endorsed bygradual loss of interest in the world of nature by
Richard & Judy's bookclub - The Conjurer's Birdthe scientific community and the public during the
by Martin Davies - has for a hero a characterfirst part of this century has progressively
who once would have been considered andowngraded the resources devoted to natural
outcast: a taxidermist. Until this renaissance,history in museums. Nowadays museum funding
taxidermy was usually associated with thefor natural history is significantly lower than that
Victorians and their thirst to discover and classifyfor the arts; even fairly insignificant art objects
the natural world. Species found by Captain Jamesare far more cossetted than any natural history
Cook in the 18th century were taxidermied andspecimen ever is. So why does society considers
brought home, but until collectors discovered thespending several million pounds for a painting a
preservative properties of arsenic, few earlypublic benefit, while a few thousand pounds to
specimens survived. (The earliest known survivingmaintain a natural history collection is seen as a
example is the Duchess of Richmond's Africandrain on the public purse? Too often people say
grey parrot, which died in 1702 and is still perchedof large collections 'but what good are they if we
in Westminster Abbey.) Charles Darwin was acan't see them?'; these people fail to understand
taxidermist and, by the 1890s, cities such asthe enormous value large research collections
Birmingham boasted 18 taxidermy firms. Mosthave as objective data banks with an irreplaceable
genteel mantelpieces - even in urban areas - werehistorical dimension.
adorned with trophies bagged from the empire -The Value of Natural History Collections
or the local copse.We do need those bloody mice! Natural history
"They were a reminder of nice things in naturecollections still have a major role to play in many
beyond the grimy cities," says Dr Pat Morris, theaspects of life today. Studying an outstanding
man who authenticated the Duchess ofpainting or some fine porcelain may convince you
Richmond's parrot. "They were likethat the species that can produce such beauty
three-dimensional pictures in people's drawingshould be preserved, but it will not help one jot
rooms. Then the real decline took place in thetowards combating disease, environmental
1950s and 1960s when it became less sociallypollution, or the 'greenhouse effect'. Natural history
acceptable. There were other things to do withcollections can and do contribute significantly to
animals rather than shooting them, such as filmingthese and other scientific studies vital to human
and photographing them. And the animals weresociety and to life on planet Earth.
getting scarcer and scarcer." Furry and featheredArt objects tend to have high market values,
exotica remained beyond the pale for decades.which most natural history objects at present do
Now, as antique specimens and pieces of modernnot, although the Moa egg recently broken in a
art, dead beasts are creeping back into livingTasmanian museum was valued at
rooms. "That stigma that went with stuffed£600,000, a respectable figure even
animals has gone. People have lost that 'Urrgh, docompared with current art object auction prices.
I really want a dead animal in my living room?'If, however, one considers the cost of attempting
says John Baddeley of Bonham's auctioneers.to replace a natural history collection, then its
"There is also a re-emergence of people whomonetary value would generally be astronomical.
want to buy them because they are a work ofNatural history curators are beginning to regard
art and fit into a particular Victorian interior style."their collections as a unified whole - one collection
Prices are spiralling. Tatty birds that have satwith many homes. This approach is being fostered
stolidly through a 100-year afterlife inside a glassin the U.K. by the work of the Federation for
case are fetching three times their guide prices atNatural Sciences Collections Research
provincial auctions. A private collection of 150 birds[FENSCORE], aided by the increasing
including a number by the acclaimedcomputerisation of collection data, and by the
Norwich-based taxidermist Thomas Edward Gunnestablishment of regional collecting policies by
(1844-1922) was sold at an auction in Diss,groups of curators. However, the full benefits to
Norfolk, last month. A (now endangered) bitternsociety of these efforts will be long delayed
fetched £950 (compared with an estimatedunless more funding is directed to natural history
price of £260-£300), while an avocet,collection care.
expected to sell for £60-£90, went forThe Biology Curators Group (BCG) is presently
£620. The boom in new taxidermy,campaigning to raise awareness of the importance
meanwhile, is happening despite a number ofof the great national resource that the natural
myths. "People still say 'How many animals do youhistory collections in British institutions represent -
kill a week?'" says Mayer. "They have no idea thata resource the vast extent of which is only now
the number of animals who die naturally morebecoming apparent through the work of
than cover the work we do." The laws thatFENSCORE. A comment in the 1989 OAL report
govern taxidermy in the UK are strict. EveryThe cost of collecting: 'Analysis of the intellectual,
specimen created after 1947 requires paperworksocial and economic benefits of museum
documenting its history and cause of death. It iscollections must await another study, perhaps a
legal to pick up most animal and bird species thatcompanion study to this one' reveals the need to
have died naturally in the UK although there is aaddress the true value of these collections. Later,
list of banned - rare - species. "By far thethe report briefly assesses the value of (all)
overwhelming majority of taxidermists came intocollections entirely in economic terms such as
the profession through a genuine love of wildlife,"'turnover of museums and galleries was estimated
says Katrina Cook of the Natural History Museum.at £230m in 1985/86 with a value added of
Nor is taxidermy simply "stuffing animals". The£141m' - which makes it sound as if we are
word itself means "to arrange skin". "A goodrunning a chain of hamburger bars.
taxidermist is a sculptor, artist and naturalist rolledAn international asset
into one," says Cook. A taxidermist measures theScience knows no boundaries; collections are not
carcass from all angles, notes eye colour andnational possessions but assets of the entire
other soft parts, removes the skin, sculpts ascientific world. The UK holds a significant
model of the body (balsawood and wire for smallpercentage of the types from other countries,
birds; fibreglass or foam for larger specimens) andparticularly the ex-colonies. In addition those
sews the skin back on. Anatomical knowledge andcountries rely on us for access to material
a feel for your animal-on-the-move is essential.collected during times past, and we as a nation
"There's a lot of fieldwork involved," says Duncanowe a duty to those countries to treat their
Ferguson, general secretary of the Guild ofmaterial professionally. To discharge this duty we
Taxidermists. "Although nine times out of 10, themust curate the collections adequately, publicise
animal tells you what position it goes into."them and allow efficient access to them. Access
"In America, most taxidermists come from theincludes loaning material. Although the long-standing
hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity. In thisunder-funding of museum natural history has
country, they don't," says Mayer, a singularmade adequate curation and publicity difficult, a
individual who pinned desiccated rabbits to herhugh number of international loans of natural
bedroom wall as a child. An increasing number ofhistory material for research are already made
contemporary taxidermists are artists. Mauriziofrom Britain. However, it is unacceptable that
Cattelan, who is based in the US, is famous foraccording to Biological Collections UK 300,000
sculptures such as The Ballad of Trotsky, a horseforeign specimens held in Britain are not available
suspended from the ceiling. Hirst himself tried andfor loan, mainly because of financial stringency.
failed to buy all 6,000 pieces of taxidermy inUSE OF NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS IN
Walter Potter's Museum of Curiosities in CornwallRESEARCH
when the collection was auctioned off in 2003.Underpinning taxonomy
The witty and macabre Potter was famous in.
Victorian times for his anthropomorphised work -Taxonomy is Mankind's oldest profession; it is the
tableaus typically showing squirrels playing cards, aalpha and the omega of biological science, from
kittens' wedding party and rats rescuing eachthe first naming of newly discovered variation, to
other from a trap. Mayer does not approve ofthe incorporation of all knowledge into a system.
anthropomorphism but enjoys a similarly playfulUnfortunately taxonomy is so fundamental it
use of her skills (a novelty beard made from 12often escapes notice or is even disparaged. Not
white mice - shown on G2's cover- and a pigletlong ago a university vice-chancellor (a biologist
handbag) but has focused on developing ahimself) pronounced: 'Taxonomy has had its day;
laborious process called erosion moulding. Manyhard number biology is what is needed now.' It is
traditional taxidermists don't believe it is properdangerous to accept dismissive statements about
taxidermy but it bestows an astonishing lifelikeany branch of science. Taxonomy is not stale or
sheen on the dead. And it is more durable thanworked out; time and again it has been revitalised:
orthodox taxidermy. Mayer can take Rosie theby new data from genetics and chemotaxonomy,
collie into the shower to wash her fur.new concepts of mathematical analysis such as
Demand for taxidermy may be soaring, but thenumerical and multivariate analysis, and by
number of taxidermists is falling. Taxidermists arecladistics and molecular biology, to mention only
worried about the lack of young people in thesome recent developments.
craft. The salary - about £15,000 inNon-biologists and administrators often fail to
museums - is not tempting. "If no kids want to doappreciate the necessity for obtaining accurate
it, taxidermy is not going to survive," says Mayer.identification of biological material, or the difficulties
Twenty years ago, the Guild of Taxidermy hadof so doing without access to good reference
320 members. Now it has 200. Of these, about 10collections. The strange fact is that, even as the
work in museums and 30 are full-time commercialdemand for assistance with identifications
taxidermists. The rest are part-time (althoughthreatens to submerge those able to provide the
Ferguson estimates that there may be someservice, research funders still regard taxonomic
2,000 other hobbyist taxidermists). Manywork with a jaundiced eye. Ironically, a few
museums, according to Dr Morris, seem to beweeks after making his pronouncement the
afraid to support taxidermy because it is politicallyvice-chancellor mentioned above appeared in his
incorrect. "There is a suspicion that museums areuniversity's herbarium clutching a handful of leaves
frightened of offending people," he says. Cook,from shrubs in the garden of his residence, asking
who works to preserve the Natural Historyfor identification.
Museum's bird collection, argues that taxidermyThe attitudes 'we've done that bit' and 'we have
remains crucial in science and education.all the identification keys we need, thanks' are
"Preserving the skin of an animal is vital to theprevalent. However, keys can mislead: 'it is not A
study of natural history. It has enabled us toor B so it must be C' is usually how they are
identify and describe specimens for science andused; but this presupposes that all the possible
keep what we call 'type specimens'. Taxidermy isspecies are in the key, while 'it' might actually be
sadly all we have left of extinct species such asspecies D! It is important always to confirm
the Great Auk or Passenger Pigeon."identification against a reputable reference
One new taxidermist is artist Polly Morgan. Thecollection. More than one PhD student has faced a
contents of her freezer are not what you wouldmassive rewrite of their thesis after belatedly
expect of a well-spoken 26-year-old. Wrapped inidentifying correctly the organism studied using a
Sainsbury's bags are a large weasel (with frostedmuseum reference collection.
whiskers), a robin, a huge grey squirrel fromEnvironmental Studies
London, a bat, two white rabbits, a rat, a guineaMany studies in the fields of ecology, evolution,
pig, a chubby wood pigeon, a bag of mice and apollution and climatic changes require museum
tiny quail chick. "I didn't think I could learn becausespecimens. Provided selective collecting is allowed
you don't normally meet taxidermists," she says.for, museum collections are logical places for life
"And you tend to think of it being archaic or ahistory studies. Using existing collections for such
byproduct of hunting, and I'm not into hunting."studies often enables large amounts of data to be
Morgan grew up in the countryside, surrounded byaccumulated in a short time on such things as
animals. Now her mum and a local vet keep herfecundity/mortality patterns, host-parasite
supplied with roadkill and deceased pets. "I getrelationships, estimates of breeding seasons,
calls from people I've only met once at a partymicro-growth increments (many organisms show
saying their cat brought something in and did Igrowth layers when sectioned, such as the 'rings'
want it. I will drive for miles to collect something,of a tree, and these can be used to study past
although I'm getting a bit sick of squirrels andenvironmental conditions), food pests, life-cycle
pigeons."duration, larval growth pattern, migration (museum
Both Morgan and Mayer like to exhibit art that,collections have been used to locate locust
unlike traditional taxidermy, makes no pretence tooutbreak sites and to track traditional migration
be alive. "Taxidermists are really quite purist. Theypatterns), species that mimic other animals, and
like to pretend death doesn't happen and they areother polymorphisms, plant fecundity, flowering
resurrecting animals," says Mayer. "By portrayingand fruiting dates, periods of dormancy, and
an animal as dead you get much closer to thecorrelations of plant growing sites with rainfall or
truth and it is more disturbing for people to lookaltitude. Systematics collections provide a wealth
at. I'm not interested in making pieces of workof historical information on habitat composition,
where people aren't challenged." Morgan, too, likesand on the distribution of plants and animals, that
making "dead" sculptures. "Birds have such a goodis invaluable to those predicting ecological shifts
posture when they die - on their backs with theirdue to global climate change. For plants particularly,
head on one side. It creates a heart shape. Theirherbarium specimens, accumulated over the past
wings open and I find something quite touching200 years, remain the most readily available
about how they look - peaceful but vulnerable atsource of information on structural variation and
the same time." Rather than naturalistic settings,geographical distribution.
she might curl a rat into a wine glass. One suchNature Conservation
piece, which looked like a bizarre sorbet, fetchedThe Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
£2,200. She currently has pieces showing at(RSPB) understandably discourages the use of bird
Laz Inc gallery in London and at Studeley Castle inmounts in public displays. One museum which put
Gloucestershire.on a display to celebrate the recent centenary of
Might the return of taxidermy pose a threat tothe RSPB readily agreed to use a model of an
endangered species? Six years ago, a taxidermistAvocet prepared by an RSPB recommended
from north London who illegally sold a virtual zoomodeller, in place of a mount; a short time later
of endangered species, including two stuffed tigerthe modeller 'phoned the museum to request the
cubs less than a week old (killed before their eyesloan of a mounted Avocet to enable him to make
opened), was sentenced to six months in prison.an accurate model. Often it is only by studying
Robert Sclare pleaded guilty to 29 counts ofbird mounts and eggs from museum collections
forgery relating to applications to trade. Afterthat artists are able to paint the colour plates in
serving his time, he returned and reopened histhe plethora of bird identification guides used by
business, Get Stuffed. The shop, described afterbird lovers; such artists still account for a large
the trial by animal rights campaigners as "annumber of loans from the major bird collections.
animal shop of horrors" continues to trade today.The mapping of distribution patterns of birds,
According to Andy Fisher, head of theanimals, plants and so on, essential to protect the
Metropolitan Wildlife Crime Unit, there have beenenvironment, and for the adequate assessment
no big seizures of illegal taxidermy in the UK sinceof planning applications, also needs natural history
Get Stuffed was raided, although the unit hascollections; maps of rare and critical species can
confiscated illegal taxidermy from elsewhere,be reliably prepared only from museum (voucher)
including rare birds and sea turtles. Growingspecimens. Reliable maps of common species
interest in taxidermy is not yet reflected inneed voucher specimens - particularly for islands.
seizures of banned items. "We do monitor variousMany erroneous records are found, made by
internet sites. If there was a resurgence in raredistinguished visitors who record what they
species then we would be concerned but I thinkexpect to see rather than what is there.
the majority of things being sold are fairly old orVouchers are especially important for introduced
are not banned species. It is something we'respecies or those from limited habitats, and for
keeping an eye on." David Cowdrey of the WWFecological surveys. Unfortunately some important
praises the Guild of Taxidermists for fightingrecent publications on local authority nature
wildlife crime and says there is an excellentconservation have failed to remark the
relationship between many taxidermists and thoseimportance of voucher specimens and reference
tackling the trade in illegally killed animals. Most ofcollections, and have totally ignored the wealth of
the problems tend to come from foreigndedicated nature conservation expertise in local
specimens. He urges people not to buy taxidermyauthority museums, and the biological recording
from abroad and report any suspicions to theinitiatives currently active in those museums in
WWF. Cook, meanwhile, advises buyers topractically every county. However, English Nature's
beware of buying items said to be antique butrecent major report on nature conservation
without the proof.states: 'some provincial museums and universities
Fashions are cyclical and the sudden appearance... collections also continue to be an important
of taxidermy in interior design is an obvioussource of reference and data supporting survey
reaction to minimalism, just as that was, in theand other research'. Two large, and expensive,
words of Cook, "a reaction against the antiquatedsurveys, one for river valley authority in America
picture of the dusty Victorian drawing roomand one for an oil company, failed to preserve
complete with aspidistra and elephant's footvoucher material in a permanent collection. Both
umbrella stand". But part of the resurgence ofsurveys were carried out by recent graduates
interest in taxidermy may also be, as Cook putswith little taxonomic experience, and their findings
it, an aesthetic pleasure. She found withhave since been successfully challenged; without
taxidermy she could "make a beautiful thing lastthe voucher material these surveys were largely
forever". Mayer admits it can feel "like cuttinga waste of money. But accessioning and
your mother up" when you make the first incisionmaintaining voucher collections costs money, and,
in a much-loved pet. "I've got a lot of respect foras is now generally the case in America, such
animals, which is why I don't anthropomorphisecosts should be built into survey funding .
them. If you are going to mess around withBiochemistry and the historical dimension
animals you should give them the best possibleObjects can contain undiscovered or potential
afterlife."information, the need for which may not yet
Taxidermist John Cooper & Sonseven have arisen. Natural history collections should
The art of taxidermy today remains very muchbe regarded as 'scientific data in waiting'. After
alive, although gone are the days of every townnuclear devices were tested in the Pacific, there
having its own taxidermist. Today's exponents,was much concern about radioactive
however, still use the same basic techniques ascontamination of the environment, especially of
their forbears. The oldest existing specimen is saidresident plants and animals. But how could anyone
to be a rhinoceros dating from the 16th century,guess what were the levels in these organisms
but the collector is highly unlikely to come acrossbefore the tests? Specimens in collections
anything preserved before 1850. Along with theprovided the answer. Other researchers needed
increased interest in antique fishing tackle, caseddated samples of earth for heavy metal analysis;
and mounted fish are now considered highlythe only source they could find was the earth
collectable and although prices have droppedadhering to herbarium specimens. The effect of
slightly from the dizzy heights reached a fewpesticides such as DDT on the thickness of the
years ago they are now starting to rise again.shells of eggs of birds of prey was only shown
The most sought after cases were produced bybecause of the existence of well-documented egg
John Cooper & Sons of Radnor Street, London.collections. With new techniques the DNA of
The company was started in the 1830's but mostlong-dead specimens can be sequenced, such as
of the `Cooper' cases around now date from thethat from the Quagga (an extinct horse), from
1870's to 1950. Most of the fish were displayed inMammoth remains, and the DNA from a 20
bowfront glass cases edged with gold line trimmillion-year old magnolia leaf. The chemistry of
and gilt lettering. Occasionally the details of the fishfeathers has shown past levels of environmental
were written inside instead, presumably whenmercury, and can also establish the probable
insufficient funds were available for the full works!origins of bird specimens. Current concern with
Even if no details exist it is still possible for antri-butyl tin antifouling paint on boats required
expert to date the case as their style changedpre-1950 samples of the dogwhelk to study the
throughout the years. Early cases had pale bluelong-term effects. Research at Manchester
backgrounds with an abundance of reeds andMuseum has shown that the shell of the common
groundwork. By the 1950's this had progressed towinkle can be used to establish an accurate
a green backing with a sparse interior. The fishmeasure of some critical levels of radioactivity in
gradually became more heavily painted with everycoastal waters. The work required dated and
scale accentuated. The trading label along withlocalised winkle shells from the past 50 years to
their address changed frequently and is anotherestablish historical levels; these shells were
helpful factor in dating them accurately. Age is notprovided from museum collections in the region.
a particular concern when it comes to value -The broad aspects of the study of evolution
more consideration is given to the size of fish fordepend upon carefully assembled scientific
its species, the quality of the mounting and thecollections for data, comparative analysis, and
overall aesthetic appearance. Multiple cases andverification. Classified museum specimens are
those with original gold lettering are worth aessential for studying the relationship between
premium. Fish taxidermy tended to be moredifferent groups of animals, variation within a
specialised than other forms and as Cooper'ssingle species and between the sexes, variation
fame grew fish were sent to them from all overwith climate, latitude, and with isolation on islands,
the country and although they appeared to havecharacter displacement, niche-variation
the monopoly other equally good firms were inhypotheses, and predator-prey relationships. This
business. One of these was W. F. Homer, also oflast involves identifying dismembered and partly
London and although examples of their work maydigested stomach contents, which cannot easily
be harder to find the search is usually wellbe done without reference collections to compare
rewarded as their cases are most attractive.the remains with.
Malloch of Perth also produced excellentThe study of museum specimens can suggest
specimens, many of which were finely paintedhypotheses which are later tested by field
plaster casts of trout and salmon often mountedobservation, for example, crest and facial
in unique barrel shaped cases. They also producedmarkings of Stellar's Jays suggested an
many of the carved wood game fish earlier thishypothesis about communication which was then
century.tested and proved in the field. Alternatively field
If you are lucky enough to find an old case ofobservations often need museum specimen follow
fish, but in a damaged and sorry state - do notup, for example, the elucidation of sonic
despair! More can be done to restore these backcommunication in baleen whales required a study
to their former glory than any other form ofof the anatomy of their larynx using museum
taxidermy and unlike many antiques, good qualityspecimens. Other studies include Felidae (cat
restoration will hardly detract from its value. Afamily) skulls used to study brain evolution in
number of auction houses now run specialistcarnivores; mounted mammals used for
piscatorial sales. But beware, this can be shakyidentifying casts of footprints from game and
ground for the uninitiated. Fakes abound and arenature reserves; a host-parasite study using
sometimes hard to distinguish from the genuinefollicle-mites from pocket mouse specimens;
article even for the experts. Buying from aestimating litter-sizes from nipple number in small
reputable dealer will bring you peace of mind andmarsupials.
is likely to be cheaper too.Archaeology and Ethnology
So what if you land your dream fish and decideIdentification of bone, shell and insect fragments
to have it preserved for posterity? No problem,from archaeological burials and excavations, to
although these days it is normally only game orassist the correct interpretation of the site.
sea fish that are mounted. The most importantEthnologists also require bits and pieces of
thing to remember is NEVER gut the fish as thisfeather, fur, skin, bone, shells and botanical
will ruin the whole procedure. Wrap your catch inmaterial such as gourds identified in human
plenty of newspaper, taking care not to damageartifacts. These identifications would be impossible
the fins and place in a freezer as soon as possible.without extensive reference collections.
Once frozen it can safely remain there forHistorical studies
several months. Mounting your trophy can be aCollections can yield information of importance in
long process (fortunately giving you a breathinghistorical studies. The collecting data attached to
space to save up for the high cost!). The recentspecimens collected during expeditions and
world record 1331b eel set up by us took aroundcampaigns has assisted in fixing other historical
five months to complete. Much of this is dryingevents in sequence. The history of anatomical
time, depending on the size and oil content of thepreservation, and of taxidermy, can only be
fish and speeding up this process will only producestudied using museum specimens.
a poor result in the long term. After defrosting,USE OF NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS BY
the fish is cut along the lateral line, skinned outSOCIETY
and cured with a preserving solution. Meanwhile aEducation
false inside (a mannequin) is carved fromThe museum's medium is the object; the object
styrofoam to the exact shape of the original fish.is the museum's message (pace McLuhan).
The skin is then placed around this and left to dryMuseum exhibits, lectures and publications in
with regular checks made to correct any oilnatural history are popular, and fortunately they
seepage, a particular problem with salmon. Whenare also widely regarded as contributions to
completely dry the skin has to be painted as bysociety valuable enough to justify the costs of
this time it will have lost all its colour. This is themuseums. Unfortunately the delivery system
really skilful part and sorts out the men from the(galleries and catalogues) attracts most of the
boys Dulux, in this instance, is not the rightsupport, while the creative source of the goods
medium!) Several washes of colour are applied todelivered (curatorial research) receives small
make the fish look as realistic as possible. Theencouragement. But without research only a
casing is a matter of personal choice and althoughpartial and inaccurate interpretation of the
the fish may just be mounted on a woodenspecimens is possible. Nowadays most museums
board it is not generally recommended. Afulfil the education role with reasonable success;
traditional setting in a bow fronted glass caseecological displays help explain the diversity of the
complete with gilt lettering is still the best methodlife forms that sustain us, show the major
and will become an antique of the future, not topatterns of geographic dispersal, and demonstrate
mention the pleasure gained of having athe interrelationships between organisms. Natural
permanent record of the big one that didn't gethistory specimens are used for school loan
away!services, and provide a range of specimens for
David McKinleyidentification in biology examinations at all levels. A
Today's perspectivenumeracy centre used shells borrowed from a
Today taxidermy in its broadest forms hasmuseum to illustrate to disadvantaged adults how
undergone a welcome transformation. It is nowthe mathematics of spirals occur in nature. The
traded globally with collectors seeking historicaltent markings on venerid bivalves and olive and
pieces from Europe North America, South Africavolute shells have been used in an artificial
and Australia. Demand appears to be exceedingintelligence study.
supply currently pushing prices ever higher.Law Enforcement
Internet services and of course EBay have of'Aiding the police in their enquiries', museum
course broaden both the availability and appeal.reference collections can identify hair as human or
Items by both modern day taxidermy exponentsnon-human, can tell the age and race of an
such as Mike Gadd and AJ Armitstead and theunearthed human skull, accurately identify hairs as
most famous Victorian firms now fetchevidence in prosecutions over badger hunting, and
thousands of pounds at auction.identify pollen grains or grass fragments for
The law has also caught up and rightly so with'scene of crime' forensics, all of which can only be
this trade. There are restrictions on the sale anddone with the authority of a reference collection.
trade of endangered species. The US and the UK,Collections also help customs officers keep our
in my opinion have the most comprehensive setsgreen and pleasant land unsullied by illegal animal
of taxidermy legislation currently in force. Againand plant imports: powdered keratin from rhino
these can be researched easily andhorn, horn or ivory objects, or pelts and leathers -
comprehensively on the internet.often as made up goods. Sometimes only a tuft
My suggestion to those who are seeking to beginof feather or hair, or a small piece of skin is
to collect taxidermy is firstly:available, and without considerable expertise
- To understand the laws governing thebacked by extensive reference collections the
taxidermy tradetask of positive identification would be impossible.
- Seek out good exponents of the art formThe public is usually quite unaware of this activity.
- Make sure that the Victorian items purchasedWithout it, the legislators could legislate about the
are no infected with insectscontrol of export or import of animals and plants
- Research both taxidermy dealers and taxidermyuntil they were blue in the face - but to little
collectors on the internet and when confident goeffect.
to specialist auction, eBay and purchase fromMedicine and Health
private collectorsAnother success story for natural history
Wild Birds and the Lawcollections: environmental health officers with their
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Part 1mangled, cooked or partially digested animal
Definition of a wild bird, and Game Birdsremains - a snail in a can of peas, a slug in
Shooting seasonsraspberry jam, or the cat bones in a tandoori
Basic protectioncurry - all need careful identification plus expert
Sale of live birdsopinion upon where the 'foreign body' entered the
Sale of dead birdsprocess, often with legal proceedings pending;
Exhibitionsusually such identifications can only be done using
Killing and taking birdsreference collections. These officers also rely
Birds in captivityheavily on their local museums for help identifying
Attempting to commit an offenceinfestations. A large reference collection is needed
Egg Collectionsto assist the rapid identification of accidentally
Licencesingested toxic plant material, to enable the medical
Falconryteam involved to apply the appropriate,
Fines & penaltiessometimes life-saving, treatment.
Schedules (lists of birds)A dental professor, studying cleft palate in
Definition of a wild birdhumans, made considerable use of crocodile skulls.
The definition of a 'wild bird' in Section 27 of theAnother dental researcher used samples from the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 changed inlegs of dated water bird specimens in studying
2004. A new Statutory Instrument (SI 2004 No.historical levels of fluoride. Near-Eastern hamster
1487) which came into force on 14 July 2004specimens were used in a medical study on
means that a 'wild bird' as defined by the Act istoxoplasmosis. In America mammal collections
now any species which is ordinarily resident in or ishave yielded information on Chaga's disease and
a visitor to 'the European Territory of anyhaemorrhagic fever. The control of other diseases
Member State' (of the EU). Previously, 'wild bird'- bilharzia, bubonic plague, schistosomiasis, malaria
only referred to birds which occurred in Greatand river blindness - all depend on very precise
Britain. This brings the WCA in line with the ECidentification of the animals transmitting the
Birds Directive and makes it illegal to be indisease, using reference collections. Psychiatrists
possession in the UK of any eggs or birds of anyregularly use specimens of birds, bees, butterflies,
species taken from the wild in another Membersmall mammals and so on from museums for the
State.treatment of phobias; by controlled gradual
Poultry or Game birds (see lists below) howeverincreased exposure to the specimens, patients
are not included in the Wildlife and Countrysidelearn to control their irrational fear of the living
Act. A bird is only classed as bred in captivity ifanimals.
both parents were in lawful captivity when theCommerce
egg was laid. Game is covered by the Game ActsAdvertising agencies and television companies
which fully protect them during the close season.borrow material for use in the background of
Basic Protection'shots',and, as mentioned above, most of the
All birds, their nests and eggs are protected byhighly popular colour-plate nature books are
law and it is thus an offence, with certainalmost entirely illustrated using museum
exceptions (see below) intentionally to:specimens. Another unusual commercial use of
Kill, injure or take any wild bird.the biological collection was illustrated by the
Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wildcollege of textiles students who used shells as
bird while it is in use or being built. (see time forinspiration for designing a cloth, which won a prize.
cutting hedges)Then there were the industrial design students
Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird.who used armadillo skeletons as the inspiration for
Have in one's possession or control any wild bird'comfort chairs', and the top yacht designer who
(dead or alive) or any part of a wild bird whichspent much time studying tunnyfish specimens as
has been taken in contravention of the Act or thean aid to designing faster yachts. The next
Protection of Birds Act 1954.generation of airliners will have less drag because
Have in one's possession or control any egg orthe designers studied preserved shark skin, and
part of an egg which has been taken inhave copied the surface structure that makes the
contravention to the Act. This includes itemsshark such an efficient swimmer. A lecturer in a
taken or killed before the passing of the Act.university engineering department routinely
Have in one's possession or control any live birdinstructs students who need to solve a novel
of prey of any species in the world (with theengineering problem to go and find an animal
exception of vultures and condors) unless it iswhich has already solved it; the museum collection
registered and ringed in accordance with theoften provides the answer. Isambard Kingdom
Secretary of State's regulations.Brunel is said to have gained inspiration for
Have in one's possession or control any bird of adesigning the tunnelling shield from examining
species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unlessmuseum specimens of the shipworm Teredo.
registered (and in some cases ringed) inFollowing planes hitting birds, airlines have required
accordance with the Secretary of State'sfeather fragments from aeroengines identified by
regulations.museums to determine the species responsible.
Disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it isHerbarium specimens are used in researching new
nest building, or at a nest containing eggs orfragrances, and in the search for new drugs.
young, or disturb the dependent young of such aAgriculture and Fisheries
bird.Crop pests can be studied in part by examining
Sale of Live Wild Birds and Their Eggspest-damaged material in herbaria (galls, etc);
Unless appropriately licensed it is an offence topotential control organisms for weeds can be
sell, offer for sale, possess or transport for saleidentified by studying 'habitat' details of insects as
or exchange:recorded on museum labels. The prickly pear
Any live bird unless listed on Schedule 3, Part Iinvasion in Australia was successfully controlled
and then only if aviary bred and close ringed withfollowing a study of this kind. Insect pests, and
an approved ring as defined by the Secretary ofsuspicious weeds and seeds, all need the collection
State's regulations. The egg of any wild birdfor reliable identification. Otolith (ear-stone)
(whether or not taken in contravention of thecollections give information on the historical age
Act).distribution of populations of fish and whales, and
Sale of Dead Wild Birdsthe results can demonstrate whether the stocks
Unless appropriately licensed it is an offence toare declining.
sell, offer, possess or transport for sale or hireAcknowledgement
any dead wild birds (or skin or part of such a bird)Every point made in this article is backed by a
other than a bird on Schedule 3, Part II or lll unlesspublished reference or personal knowledge; over
the vendor has been registered and the bird150 relevant papers and reports, all published in
marked in accordance with regulations laid downthe last fifteen years, have been abstracted while
by the Secretary of State.preparing the article, and much useful information
Birds listed on Schedule 3, Part II may be soldhas been provided by colleagues in the Biology
dead at all times, those on Schedule 3, Part IIICurators Group.
may only be sold dead from 1 September until 28