| During this period collecting and mounting of | | | | on Schedule 3, Part I and ringed in |
| both taxidermy birds and animals was | | | | accordance with the Secretary of State's |
| undertaken on a commercial scale. Routinely | | | | regulations. |
| specimens were collected from the wild in a | | | | |
| random fashion. Birds, chicks and eggs were | | | | Killing and Taking Birds |
| taken for scientific purposes and arranged in | | | | |
| as natural representation as possible. It is | | | | A number of methods of killing, injuring or |
| however interesting to observe, when | | | | taking birds are prohibited. These include |
| "stuffers" obtained specimens that they did | | | | gins, springs, traps leg pole traps), snares, |
| not observe in the wild, and the almost | | | | nets, bird lime, electrical scaring devices |
| comical presenting of what was meant to be | | | | and poisonous or stupefying substances; bows |
| both a natural pose and environment. | | | | or crossbows, explosives (other than firearm |
| Thankfully these individuals were in the | | | | ammunition), any gas or smoke, chemical |
| minority. For the best examples of antique | | | | wetting agent, artificial light, mirror or |
| taxidermy to survive that era, it is best to | | | | dazzling device, device for illuminating |
| observe the works by: | | | | target or sighting device for night shooting, |
| | | | automatic or semi-automatic weapon (unless it |
| - Henry Ward | | | | is incapable of holding more than 2 rounds in |
| | | | the magazine), or shotgun with an internal |
| - Rowland Ward | | | | diameter at muzzle more than 1 3/4 inches. |
| | | | |
| - Peter Spicer | | | | The use of sound recordings and decoys of |
| | | | live birds tethered, blinded or maimed is |
| - William Hutchings | | | | illegal. It is also an offence to cause or |
| | | | permit such methods to be used. Larsen traps |
| - James Gardner | | | | (in which a magpie is kept in a cage) are |
| | | | legal so long as the captive magpie is |
| Above are just my personal view of who | | | | properly looked after. |
| created the best cases, you may feel free to | | | | |
| disagree. However during the above period, | | | | It is an offence to use any mechanically |
| almost every small town in the UK has a | | | | propelled vehicle - including boats - in |
| resident taxidermist plying their trade as a | | | | immediate pursuit of a wild bird to kill or |
| side line to more conventional employment. | | | | take it. |
| | | | |
| They heyday of this form of taxidermy display | | | | It is an offence for any person to organise |
| was realistically from around 1875- until | | | | or participate in any event where captive |
| 1920. Companies such as Rowland Ward, Peter | | | | birds of any sort are liberated to be shot |
| Spicer continued after that period, but | | | | immediately after liberation, or for a |
| interest in Victoriana, was superseded by Art | | | | landowner or occupier to permit use of land |
| Deco, and therefore cases of dead animals | | | | for such an event. |
| seemed to have no place. It was not until | | | | |
| 1970 onwards did there appear to be | | | | Birds in Captivity |
| resurgence in this subject and today | | | | |
| taxidermy historical cases produced by the | | | | In addition to the registration requirements |
| great firms now command thousands of pounds | | | | for birds of prey and certain other Schedule |
| and are now collected widely. | | | | 1 species (see Basic Protection), it is |
| | | | illegal to keep any bird (excluding poultry) |
| It is interesting to note however that these | | | | in a cage or other receptacle which is not of |
| items were never cheap in their heyday and I | | | | sufficient size to permit the bird to stretch |
| suppose that given their notional value now, | | | | its wings freely in all directions. |
| it might not represent a good investment, | | | | Exceptions to this are if the bird is |
| when you take into account the "time value of | | | | undergoing veterinary treatment, is in the |
| money" principle. | | | | course of conveyance or is being exhibited: |
| | | | in the latter case the time the bird is so |
| Given the resurgence, brought about in part | | | | confined should not exceed an aggregate of 72 |
| by the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection | | | | hours. |
| mainly produced by Victorian Taxidermist | | | | |
| Walter Potter of Bramber in West Sussex. This | | | | Attempting to Commit An Offence |
| collection was sold for around £475,000. | | | | |
| | | | It is an offence to attempt to commit any |
| America Taxidermy | | | | offence or have in one's possession anything |
| | | | capable of being used to commit an offence. |
| The origins of taxidermy can be traced back | | | | |
| to the ancient practice of preserving | | | | Exceptions |
| trophies from the hunt. But its modern | | | | |
| development arose from the interest in | | | | The most notable exceptions to the above |
| natural science that emerged during the 17th | | | | provisions are: |
| century. In the 19th century taxidermy became | | | | |
| firmly established as a museum art in such | | | | An authorised person (e.g. a landowner or |
| commercial houses as Maison Verreaux in Paris | | | | occupier) may kill or take so called 'pest |
| and Ward's Natural Science Establishment in | | | | species' and destroy or take the nest or eggs |
| Rochester, N.Y. | | | | of such a bird. This is permissible under the |
| | | | terms of general licenses issued by |
| One of the most noted American experts in the | | | | government departments. |
| field was Carl E. Akeley (1864-1926), who | | | | |
| first worked at Ward's before moving on to | | | | A person charged with killing or attempting |
| the Field Museum of Natural History in | | | | to kill a wild bird, other than one included |
| Chicago and the American Museum of Natural | | | | on Schedule 1, shall not be guilty of an |
| History in New York City. He is credited with | | | | offence if he can show his action was |
| developing the taxidermic method of mounting | | | | necessary for the purpose of preserving |
| museum displays to show how animals looked in | | | | public health or air safety, preventing |
| their natural surroundings. He did this by | | | | spread of disease or preventing serious |
| showing animals in positions suggesting great | | | | damage to livestock, foodstuffs for |
| activity; he also used real or artificial | | | | livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing |
| vegetation and painted backgrounds to give an | | | | timber or fisheries (see licenses). |
| idea of habitat. Akeley's goal was to use | | | | |
| taxidermy to create a panorama of Africa and | | | | A person may take or kill (or injure in |
| its big game in museums across the United | | | | attempting to kill), a bird listed on |
| States. His method of mounting skin on a | | | | Schedule 2, Part I outside the close season. |
| finely molded replica of the body of an | | | | |
| animal yielded results with a degree of | | | | Anyone may remove and destroy addled eggs but |
| realism that had not been created before. His | | | | they must not be kept or sold. |
| contributions elevated taxidermy from a craft | | | | |
| to an art form. | | | | Authorised persons may take wild mallards' |
| | | | eggs for breeding, but the young birds must |
| Taxidermy - The stuff memories are made of. | | | | be released into the wild by 31 July. Wild |
| | | | mallard eggs and progeny cannot be sold. Wild |
| Kim McDonald | | | | eggs must not be taken later than 31 March in |
| | | | England and Wales, or 10 April in Scotland. |
| Having been asked, some time ago to write an | | | | |
| article for this directory, I finally sit | | | | Anybody can use nets to take wild duck in a |
| down, three days before the deadline and put | | | | duck decoy which was in use prior to 1954. |
| pen to paper - or as modern times dictate, | | | | |
| fiddle with my computer. The next problem is | | | | Anybody can use a cage or net to take any |
| what to write about. Do I throw at the reader | | | | game bird for breeding, but it remains |
| "A do it yourself guide to stuffing"?, No - I | | | | unlawful to net any bird in flight or on the |
| would need the whole book to do that. Do I | | | | ground with a net not propelled by hand. An |
| rant and rave about the wonderful system of | | | | obvious example of this is bird-ringing for |
| taxidermy licensing that has been bestowed | | | | scientific purposes, which almost always |
| upon us or pay homage to the Article 10 - | | | | requires the netting of birds in flight. This |
| Hell no, that would also need a book and it | | | | activity can therefore only be undertaken by |
| wouldn't change a thing, although pressure is | | | | a licensed person. |
| having some effect. Do I take the opportunity | | | | |
| to do a three page advert for myself, hmm, a | | | | A person may take a wild bird if he can |
| good idea but then the editor might charge | | | | satisfy the court the bird had been injured |
| me, so instead I will give you the best | | | | other than by his own hand and that his sole |
| advice I can on what to do, should you decide | | | | purpose was to tend it and then release it |
| to have a taxidermy specimen mounted. This | | | | when no longer disabled; or he may kill it if |
| will, without apology, project into the | | | | he can prove it was so seriously disabled as |
| limelight, a group of dedicated exponents of | | | | to be beyond recovery. Sick and injured birds |
| the taxidermy art known as the Guild of | | | | listed on Schedule 4 should be registered |
| Taxidermists. Why should I advertise the | | | | with the Department of the Environment or |
| Guild? - Simple, I happen to be the Chairman | | | | passed to an approved keeper. |
| and I know what benefits it can present the | | | | |
| client - that is you. So, let us presume you | | | | Egg Collections |
| have found yourself in the unfortunate | | | | |
| position of losing (by way of death) a | | | | Under Section 1(3) of the Act, egg collectors |
| specimen - a valued friend, one of your | | | | may be required to show that any eggs in |
| flock, worth God knows what, in time, money | | | | their possession were lawfully obtained. This |
| and sentimentality | | | | means that they must either have been |
| | | | obtained under license, or form part of a |
| It happens to us all. Basically, you are | | | | collection which was assembled prior to 1954. |
| presented with three choices:- - you can, | | | | |
| with or without the aid of volley of shots | | | | Licences |
| fired over the intended burial site, intern | | | | |
| it in a wooden casket and return it to the | | | | Licenses may be issued by government |
| earth or be even more illustrious, if it is | | | | departments to kill or take birds and/or eggs |
| of Scandinavian origin, give it a Viking send | | | | for the following purposes: |
| off. - you can place it in the freezer | | | | |
| immediately and then ring up the nearest | | | | Scientific or educational |
| taxidermist and sell the carcass - it will | | | | |
| have a value. It may not necessarily be | | | | Ringing or marking |
| enough to purchase a new taxidermy specimen | | | | |
| but it will recoup some of the financial | | | | Conserving wild birds |
| loss- or again, place it in the freezer and | | | | |
| elect to have it mounted, set up, or to put | | | | Protecting any collection of wild birds |
| it bluntly, stuffed. Actually, we in the | | | | |
| trade do not like the word "stuffed". It | | | | Falconry or aviculture |
| conjures up visions of a boggle eyed monster | | | | |
| in a glass fronted box, unnaturally taxidermy | | | | Taxidermy |
| posed and hanging on the wall of a old | | | | |
| museum. These days, a good taxidermist will | | | | Preserving public health or air safety |
| model your specimen into an anatomically | | | | |
| correct position and bear witness to its | | | | Preventing serious damage to livestock, |
| traits and idiosyncrasies. In other words, | | | | foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, |
| providing you pick the right artist, you will | | | | fruit,growing timber or fisheries |
| get a job worthy of that specimen. | | | | |
| | | | Killing a gannet for food on the island of |
| Who then is the right person for the job? You | | | | Sula Sgeir |
| may already know of a taxidermist and you may | | | | |
| already be happy with the work. Great, but if | | | | Taking a gull's egg for food |
| you don't, it can be a taxing decisionYou | | | | |
| presumably will dive into the yellow pages or | | | | Taking a lapwing's egg for food before 15 |
| if you are computer minded, trawl through | | | | April |
| various websites, both sources being full of | | | | |
| advertisers claiming to be the best. So now | | | | Licenses may also be granted for the sale of |
| you know of loads of taxidermists, but which | | | | live birds (except those listed on Schedule |
| one is best suited? Well, help is at hand. | | | | 3, Part I) and the sale of dead birds or |
| The best place to start is the Guild of | | | | their parts; for scientific examination and |
| Taxidermists. Why?, well we run the only | | | | photography of a Schedule 1 species at its |
| qualification in the U.K. available to the | | | | nest and for the public exhibition or |
| trade. The qualifications are earned by way | | | | competition of birds not listed on Schedule |
| of "credits" which are mounted specimens | | | | 3, Part I. |
| judged by a panel to be of an acceptable | | | | |
| standard.. A member must gain six credits in | | | | Falconry |
| any one particular field (Bird, Mammal, Fish | | | | |
| Reptile, Head Mount) before he or she becomes | | | | Falconers can obtain a quarry license to take |
| a "Specialist". Likewise an "Accredited" | | | | wild birds with birds of prey, for example |
| member has to earn six "credits" including | | | | taking a skylark with a merlin. This is not |
| Birds, Mammals and Fish/Reptile to attain | | | | necessary to take game birds, but a game |
| that title. Judging is not just a case of | | | | license must be obtained from a post office. |
| saying " oh I like that, that's a pass", The | | | | Schedule 2 birds may also be taken without a |
| panel of three judges plus an adjudicator | | | | quarry or game license under certain |
| (all of whom are qualified taxidermists) has | | | | circumstances- under a general license when |
| to be satisfied that a specimen has passed a | | | | causing serious damage to agriculture or for |
| required standard. A standard some say is | | | | the purpose of conserving wild birds. |
| often, if anything, erring towards being too | | | | |
| strict. However, a line is drawn and if the | | | | Fines & penalties |
| work doesn't come up to scratch, it doesn't | | | | |
| earn a "credit". A "Master " has to earn | | | | The maximum fine that can be imposed in |
| three "higher category credits" in each field | | | | respect of a single bird, nest or egg |
| to be awarded the top qualification. The | | | | receiving ordinary protection is £1,000. |
| judging of those credits is done by the panel | | | | For offences involving a Schedule 1 species |
| plus all taxidermists present at our annual | | | | or an illegal method of killing (e.g. |
| Conference. | | | | poisoning) the maximum is £5,000. In |
| | | | recent years these fines have been rarely |
| Consequently they are a rare achievement. We | | | | applied, but on a few occasions there have |
| have however among our members a few who are | | | | been very heavy fines or even imprisonment |
| well on their way to a Master, having gained | | | | applied for offences under this Act, in |
| qualification in one or more fields. The | | | | particular for egg-collecting which has been |
| Guild will be able to advise you of who in | | | | very proactively prosecuted. |
| your locality is such a member and what they | | | | |
| specialise in. If there is no one in your | | | | Some interesting financial information to |
| area we will point you to a selection of the | | | | consider |
| nearest. At this point, it is only fair to | | | | |
| say that not all taxidermists are members of | | | | We have been following the resurgence of this |
| the Guild. There are a few lost souls out | | | | Taxidermy over the last 18 months following |
| there and one or two are quite good. | | | | the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection. |
| Likewise, not all members of the Guild are | | | | Prices have been steadily creeping ever |
| Accredited, Specialists or Masters. Whatever | | | | upwards. Recent review of the situation has |
| your choice, care of the specimen does not | | | | provided an insight into this. Data has been |
| end as soon as it dies. It is imperative that | | | | collected over this period from EBay, Auction |
| the carcass is frozen as soon after death as | | | | houses and collectors selling to collectors. |
| possible. It should be well wrapped - a | | | | Some 126 cases (Ward, Cooper, Gardner, |
| polybag or two or a tupperware box often | | | | Spicer), etc, etc, have been disposed of that |
| calms the wife down. The bird treated with | | | | we know of giving a sale total of £85,332. |
| the respect it deserves, not just chucked | | | | This equates to an average price per |
| into the corner of the freezer. | | | | taxidermy case now selling for £677.23, |
| | | | which in our opinion is perhaps the highest |
| It is also no good burying it and then 2 | | | | average cost per case seen in recent times. |
| weeks later deciding you want it mounted and | | | | |
| digging it up. Believe me, that has | | | | We have no American data to compare this |
| happenedThe condition of your specimen will | | | | trend and this does not include the sale of |
| dictate the standard of the finished item. | | | | the collection of Taxidermy @ Jamaica Inn, |
| Miracles can happen and often do, but if the | | | | which fetched some £475,000 |
| plumage is in poor condition, this, with | | | | |
| possibly a slight improvement once washed and | | | | There has also been the suggestion that due |
| lustred, will show on the finished mount, as | | | | to increased demand for this subject, items |
| will one leg or a bald head. As I say | | | | are becomming increasingly rare to find. |
| miracles can sometimes be performed, spare | | | | Whilst this is true, it is our opinion that |
| part surgery is possible, but at a cost That | | | | taxidermy cases are not rare, just currently |
| little word "cost" is also a dictating | | | | unavailable for purchase. |
| factor. What will it cost? Well that's down | | | | |
| to the particular taxidermist. However as a | | | | Limited discussions with some taxidermy |
| guide, should you be quoted £50 to mount a | | | | collectors on a confidential basis, shows |
| Peregrine or for that matter £50 for | | | | that in our some circle, there are some 4000 |
| anything, be very wary. Better still, put the | | | | cases in private hands, let alone those |
| phone down. Without tying anybody down to a | | | | people we do not know and specimens that |
| particular rate, a Peregrine is more likely | | | | reside in museums and the like. The |
| to cost in the region of £275. and that's | | | | Victorians were certainly prolific in their |
| without a case. A Barn Owl, say £175 to | | | | output. |
| £280. On the other side of the coin, if | | | | |
| you are quoted £1000 for the same job, | | | | I am always interested in facts associated |
| seek a second opinion. Another clue to your | | | | with Taxidermy. I am currently composing a |
| taxidermists "standing" is often the time | | | | document which compares prices of taxidermy |
| taken to complete your order. If you are | | | | collection that have sold recently. Whilst |
| quoted "it will be finished next week" forget | | | | this is of limited value currently, in a few |
| it. | | | | years time it may prove valuable when |
| | | | considering the inevitable "trends" in |
| That is generally a good pointer to a | | | | fashion. I wonder say whether taxidermy will |
| taxidermist's reputation. Obviously, in this | | | | be a valuable in 15 years time as it appears |
| case, they haven't got much work and it begs | | | | to be today. If you have any data which you |
| the question, why? Foot and Mouth scares | | | | may feel is suitable for research then please |
| apart (this slows down the amount of work | | | | send it either to or Victorian-taxidermy.com, |
| coming in - especially of Fish and Deer) most | | | | we would be very pleased to receive it Many |
| good taxidermists will have at least three to | | | | thanks for your time. |
| six months work and often more to do before | | | | |
| getting to your order. So if you are quoted | | | | Arguably the founding father of Victorian |
| six months, don't worry - at least other | | | | Taxidermy, Walter Potter was born on July 2nd |
| people must be satisfied for that practice to | | | | 1835 in the village of Bramber near Steyning |
| have so much work. A bird the size of a | | | | in West Sussex. |
| Peregrine can take a day or more to mount and | | | | |
| two or three weeks to dry. If ordering a case | | | | Very little remains of this today and the |
| as well, it cannot be sealed until the | | | | actual site is now a house. No plaque |
| specimen is completely dried. It could be | | | | commemorates this man's taxidermy |
| done in a week but it might not last much | | | | achievements in this art form. Walter is |
| longer. Whatever your requirement, the Guild | | | | possible most famous for the "The Death and |
| is there for the good of the trade. To | | | | Burial of Cock Robin". (23rd September 03 The |
| achieve that it must give the best advice | | | | Victorian Taxidermy Company ltd successfully |
| available to the customer. Although our | | | | purchased this most important case following |
| members are not tied to a contract with the | | | | the dismemberment of the Jamaica Inn |
| Guild - they operate with a free hand - they | | | | collection) |
| are however, subject to a code of conduct and | | | | |
| do not wish to bring the Guild or the trade | | | | The Cock Robin tableau attracted much public |
| into disrepute. We've had no complaint so | | | | attention that encouraged Walter to pursue |
| far. | | | | his hobby and produce further tableaux |
| | | | depicting groups of animals behaving as |
| Tuesday August 8, 2006 The Guardian | | | | though they were tiny humans. Potter quickly |
| | | | became the leading exponent of this kind of |
| Emily Mayer's studio is not for the | | | | taxidermy and his collection expanded |
| squeamish, especially squeamish dog-lovers. | | | | sufficiently to require a special building |
| Inside the former workhouse hospital, three | | | | that was constructed across the road from the |
| very alive Jack Russell-chihuahua crosses | | | | Inn, now a public car park. . The collection |
| gambol among an ark of deceased relatives. | | | | was moved to Brighton where it opened for its |
| Rosie the border collie reclines on a purple | | | | 112th season and then it was relocated again |
| sofa. Bertha the foxhound lies, paws crossed, | | | | to the Old Post Office in Arundel where it |
| on a workbench. A fox is curled inside a | | | | remained for some 15 years, prior to its |
| suitcase. Finally, there is The Dog's | | | | final museum resting place at Jamaica Inn. |
| Bollocks, a taxidermied rat that Mayer | | | | The dispersal (Globally) of this art form |
| believes is her most perfectly recreated | | | | took place on 23/24th September 2003 by |
| rodent yet. He is rolling a jar containing a | | | | Bonham's, achieving some £475,000 |
| pair of canine testicles. They came from her | | | | approximately at auction. I wonder what old |
| neighbour's randy dog, who got the chop. When | | | | man Potter would have made of this had he |
| not turning strong stomachs, taxidermy has | | | | been there.?. |
| long aroused strong emotions. For many, a | | | | |
| childhood fascination for the glassy-eyed | | | | Sometimes the Victorians got it wrong |
| inhabitants of the Natural History Museum | | | | |
| ends when teenage indignation at the abuse of | | | | The public's enthusiasm for such displays was |
| animals kicks in. For generations, the art of | | | | huge and the need to impress often led to |
| preserving dead creatures has been considered | | | | faux pas. In Britain, for example, a |
| at worst barbaric and at best a relic of | | | | fossilised spike from an iguanodon's nose was |
| 19th-century colonialism. | | | | famously exhibited as its big thumb. The |
| | | | Victorian Museum was a place to experience |
| Now, however, a new breed of artists and | | | | awe, education, titillation and man's power |
| collectors are discovering taxidermy. A manky | | | | over nature. Exhibits became trophies and |
| hoof or a moth-eaten fox head that once | | | | were displayed as such. The most popular |
| adorned your granny's spare room is probably | | | | exhibits in the Dublin museum are the |
| propped on the wall of an expensive | | | | fossilised skeleton of the extinct giant |
| restaurant. A new shop selling taxidermy is | | | | Irish deer, which is higher than a horse and |
| opening next year in London's achingly | | | | with antlers as wide again, and the skeleton |
| fashionable Shoreditch. Kate Moss has just | | | | of a blue whale. Suspended from the ceiling, |
| spent several thousand pounds on a piece of | | | | this runs almost the full length of the hall. |
| taxidermy sculpture - a dead bluetit on a | | | | What is striking about this natural history |
| prayer book - by the east London-based artist | | | | collection is the unnatural nature of it. |
| Polly Morgan. Mayer, an artist and | | | | Victorian taxidermists would probably never |
| taxidermist who has quietly worked in south | | | | have seen most of the animals alive, so they |
| Norfolk for a decade, has A-list clients | | | | had to use their imaginations in striking |
| including restaurateur Marco Pierre White and | | | | poses. Some of the results are bizarre. |
| artist Damien Hirst, with whom she has | | | | |
| collaborated on a number of works. Taxidermy | | | | What Price Natural History Collections, or |
| is also returning to the mainstream: ordinary | | | | 'Why do we need all these bloody mice?' by |
| punters are buying antiques on eBay and at | | | | Charles Pettitt, Manchester Museum [publ. |
| auctions, while a new novel endorsed by | | | | 1991 in Mus. Journal 91 (8): 25-28] |
| Richard & Judy's bookclub - The Conjurer's | | | | |
| Bird by Martin Davies - has for a hero a | | | | The Under-valuation of Natural History |
| character who once would have been considered | | | | Collections |
| an outcast: a taxidermist. Until this | | | | |
| renaissance, taxidermy was usually associated | | | | 'Why do we need all these bloody mice?' is a |
| with the Victorians and their thirst to | | | | question once asked by the leader of a large |
| discover and classify the natural world. | | | | local authority on a visit to the research |
| Species found by Captain James Cook in the | | | | collections of a major museum. In many ways |
| 18th century were taxidermied and brought | | | | this sums up the attitude of most |
| home, but until collectors discovered the | | | | politicians. The attitude of the public, on |
| preservative properties of arsenic, few early | | | | the other hand, is encapsulated in the words |
| specimens survived. (The earliest known | | | | of a car sticker, 'Preserve wild life - |
| surviving example is the Duchess of | | | | Pickle a squirrel', which surely indicates |
| Richmond's African grey parrot, which died in | | | | that the public mistakenly view natural |
| 1702 and is still perched in Westminster | | | | history museums as places haunted by |
| Abbey.) Charles Darwin was a taxidermist and, | | | | necrophiliacs interested only in dead |
| by the 1890s, cities such as Birmingham | | | | material. Even some naturalists nowadays fail |
| boasted 18 taxidermy firms. Most genteel | | | | to recognise the relevance of museum natural |
| mantelpieces - even in urban areas - were | | | | history collections. |
| adorned with trophies bagged from the empire | | | | |
| - or the local copse. | | | | The use to society of natural history |
| | | | collections is enormous, but too often their |
| "They were a reminder of nice things in | | | | value is poorly understood by the public and |
| nature beyond the grimy cities," says Dr Pat | | | | by politicians. The gradual loss of interest |
| Morris, the man who authenticated the Duchess | | | | in the world of nature by the scientific |
| of Richmond's parrot. "They were like | | | | community and the public during the first |
| three-dimensional pictures in people's | | | | part of this century has progressively |
| drawing rooms. Then the real decline took | | | | downgraded the resources devoted to natural |
| place in the 1950s and 1960s when it became | | | | history in museums. Nowadays museum funding |
| less socially acceptable. There were other | | | | for natural history is significantly lower |
| things to do with animals rather than | | | | than that for the arts; even fairly |
| shooting them, such as filming and | | | | insignificant art objects are far more |
| photographing them. And the animals were | | | | cossetted than any natural history specimen |
| getting scarcer and scarcer." Furry and | | | | ever is. So why does society considers |
| feathered exotica remained beyond the pale | | | | spending several million pounds for a |
| for decades. Now, as antique specimens and | | | | painting a public benefit, while a few |
| pieces of modern art, dead beasts are | | | | thousand pounds to maintain a natural history |
| creeping back into living rooms. "That stigma | | | | collection is seen as a drain on the public |
| that went with stuffed animals has gone. | | | | purse? Too often people say of large |
| People have lost that 'Urrgh, do I really | | | | collections 'but what good are they if we |
| want a dead animal in my living room?' says | | | | can't see them?'; these people fail to |
| John Baddeley of Bonham's auctioneers. "There | | | | understand the enormous value large research |
| is also a re-emergence of people who want to | | | | collections have as objective data banks with |
| buy them because they are a work of art and | | | | an irreplaceable historical dimension. |
| fit into a particular Victorian interior | | | | |
| style." Prices are spiralling. Tatty birds | | | | The Value of Natural History Collections |
| that have sat stolidly through a 100-year | | | | |
| afterlife inside a glass case are fetching | | | | We do need those bloody mice! Natural history |
| three times their guide prices at provincial | | | | collections still have a major role to play |
| auctions. A private collection of 150 birds | | | | in many aspects of life today. Studying an |
| including a number by the acclaimed | | | | outstanding painting or some fine porcelain |
| Norwich-based taxidermist Thomas Edward Gunn | | | | may convince you that the species that can |
| (1844-1922) was sold at an auction in Diss, | | | | produce such beauty should be preserved, but |
| Norfolk, last month. A (now endangered) | | | | it will not help one jot towards combating |
| bittern fetched £950 (compared with an | | | | disease, environmental pollution, or the |
| estimated price of £260-£300), while an | | | | 'greenhouse effect'. Natural history |
| avocet, expected to sell for £60-£90, | | | | collections can and do contribute |
| went for £620. The boom in new taxidermy, | | | | significantly to these and other scientific |
| meanwhile, is happening despite a number of | | | | studies vital to human society and to life on |
| myths. "People still say 'How many animals do | | | | planet Earth. |
| you kill a week?'" says Mayer. "They have no | | | | |
| idea that the number of animals who die | | | | Art objects tend to have high market values, |
| naturally more than cover the work we do." | | | | which most natural history objects at present |
| The laws that govern taxidermy in the UK are | | | | do not, although the Moa egg recently broken |
| strict. Every specimen created after 1947 | | | | in a Tasmanian museum was valued at |
| requires paperwork documenting its history | | | | £600,000, a respectable figure even |
| and cause of death. It is legal to pick up | | | | compared with current art object auction |
| most animal and bird species that have died | | | | prices. If, however, one considers the cost |
| naturally in the UK although there is a list | | | | of attempting to replace a natural history |
| of banned - rare - species. "By far the | | | | collection, then its monetary value would |
| overwhelming majority of taxidermists came | | | | generally be astronomical. |
| into the profession through a genuine love of | | | | |
| wildlife," says Katrina Cook of the Natural | | | | Natural history curators are beginning to |
| History Museum. | | | | regard their collections as a unified whole - |
| | | | one collection with many homes. This approach |
| Nor is taxidermy simply "stuffing animals". | | | | is being fostered in the U.K. by the work of |
| The word itself means "to arrange skin". "A | | | | the Federation for Natural Sciences |
| good taxidermist is a sculptor, artist and | | | | Collections Research [FENSCORE], aided by the |
| naturalist rolled into one," says Cook. A | | | | increasing computerisation of collection |
| taxidermist measures the carcass from all | | | | data, and by the establishment of regional |
| angles, notes eye colour and other soft | | | | collecting policies by groups of curators. |
| parts, removes the skin, sculpts a model of | | | | However, the full benefits to society of |
| the body (balsawood and wire for small birds; | | | | these efforts will be long delayed unless |
| fibreglass or foam for larger specimens) and | | | | more funding is directed to natural history |
| sews the skin back on. Anatomical knowledge | | | | collection care. |
| and a feel for your animal-on-the-move is | | | | |
| essential. "There's a lot of fieldwork | | | | The Biology Curators Group (BCG) is presently |
| involved," says Duncan Ferguson, general | | | | campaigning to raise awareness of the |
| secretary of the Guild of Taxidermists. | | | | importance of the great national resource |
| "Although nine times out of 10, the animal | | | | that the natural history collections in |
| tells you what position it goes into." | | | | British institutions represent - a resource |
| | | | the vast extent of which is only now becoming |
| "In America, most taxidermists come from the | | | | apparent through the work of FENSCORE. A |
| hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity. In | | | | comment in the 1989 OAL report The cost of |
| this country, they don't," says Mayer, a | | | | collecting: 'Analysis of the intellectual, |
| singular individual who pinned desiccated | | | | social and economic benefits of museum |
| rabbits to her bedroom wall as a child. An | | | | collections must await another study, perhaps |
| increasing number of contemporary | | | | a companion study to this one' reveals the |
| taxidermists are artists. Maurizio Cattelan, | | | | need to address the true value of these |
| who is based in the US, is famous for | | | | collections. Later, the report briefly |
| sculptures such as The Ballad of Trotsky, a | | | | assesses the value of (all) collections |
| horse suspended from the ceiling. Hirst | | | | entirely in economic terms such as 'turnover |
| himself tried and failed to buy all 6,000 | | | | of museums and galleries was estimated at |
| pieces of taxidermy in Walter Potter's Museum | | | | £230m in 1985/86 with a value added of |
| of Curiosities in Cornwall when the | | | | £141m' - which makes it sound as if we are |
| collection was auctioned off in 2003. The | | | | running a chain of hamburger bars. |
| witty and macabre Potter was famous in | | | | |
| Victorian times for his anthropomorphised | | | | An international asset |
| work - tableaus typically showing squirrels | | | | |
| playing cards, a kittens' wedding party and | | | | Science knows no boundaries; collections are |
| rats rescuing each other from a trap. Mayer | | | | not national possessions but assets of the |
| does not approve of anthropomorphism but | | | | entire scientific world. The UK holds a |
| enjoys a similarly playful use of her skills | | | | significant percentage of the types from |
| (a novelty beard made from 12 white mice - | | | | other countries, particularly the |
| shown on G2's cover- and a piglet handbag) | | | | ex-colonies. In addition those countries rely |
| but has focused on developing a laborious | | | | on us for access to material collected during |
| process called erosion moulding. Many | | | | times past, and we as a nation owe a duty to |
| traditional taxidermists don't believe it is | | | | those countries to treat their material |
| proper taxidermy but it bestows an | | | | professionally. To discharge this duty we |
| astonishing lifelike sheen on the dead. And | | | | must curate the collections adequately, |
| it is more durable than orthodox taxidermy. | | | | publicise them and allow efficient access to |
| Mayer can take Rosie the collie into the | | | | them. Access includes loaning material. |
| shower to wash her fur. | | | | Although the long-standing under-funding of |
| | | | museum natural history has made adequate |
| Demand for taxidermy may be soaring, but the | | | | curation and publicity difficult, a hugh |
| number of taxidermists is falling. | | | | number of international loans of natural |
| Taxidermists are worried about the lack of | | | | history material for research are already |
| young people in the craft. The salary - about | | | | made from Britain. However, it is |
| £15,000 in museums - is not tempting. "If | | | | unacceptable that according to Biological |
| no kids want to do it, taxidermy is not going | | | | Collections UK 300,000 foreign specimens held |
| to survive," says Mayer. Twenty years ago, | | | | in Britain are not available for loan, mainly |
| the Guild of Taxidermy had 320 members. Now | | | | because of financial stringency. |
| it has 200. Of these, about 10 work in | | | | |
| museums and 30 are full-time commercial | | | | USE OF NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS IN |
| taxidermists. The rest are part-time | | | | RESEARCH |
| (although Ferguson estimates that there may | | | | |
| be some 2,000 other hobbyist taxidermists). | | | | Underpinning taxonomy |
| Many museums, according to Dr Morris, seem to | | | | |
| be afraid to support taxidermy because it is | | | | . |
| politically incorrect. "There is a suspicion | | | | |
| that museums are frightened of offending | | | | Taxonomy is Mankind's oldest profession; it |
| people," he says. Cook, who works to preserve | | | | is the alpha and the omega of biological |
| the Natural History Museum's bird collection, | | | | science, from the first naming of newly |
| argues that taxidermy remains crucial in | | | | discovered variation, to the incorporation of |
| science and education. "Preserving the skin | | | | all knowledge into a system. Unfortunately |
| of an animal is vital to the study of natural | | | | taxonomy is so fundamental it often escapes |
| history. It has enabled us to identify and | | | | notice or is even disparaged. Not long ago a |
| describe specimens for science and keep what | | | | university vice-chancellor (a biologist |
| we call 'type specimens'. Taxidermy is sadly | | | | himself) pronounced: 'Taxonomy has had its |
| all we have left of extinct species such as | | | | day; hard number biology is what is needed |
| the Great Auk or Passenger Pigeon." | | | | now.' It is dangerous to accept dismissive |
| | | | statements about any branch of science. |
| One new taxidermist is artist Polly Morgan. | | | | Taxonomy is not stale or worked out; time and |
| The contents of her freezer are not what you | | | | again it has been revitalised: by new data |
| would expect of a well-spoken 26-year-old. | | | | from genetics and chemotaxonomy, new concepts |
| Wrapped in Sainsbury's bags are a large | | | | of mathematical analysis such as numerical |
| weasel (with frosted whiskers), a robin, a | | | | and multivariate analysis, and by cladistics |
| huge grey squirrel from London, a bat, two | | | | and molecular biology, to mention only some |
| white rabbits, a rat, a guinea pig, a chubby | | | | recent developments. |
| wood pigeon, a bag of mice and a tiny quail | | | | |
| chick. "I didn't think I could learn because | | | | Non-biologists and administrators often fail |
| you don't normally meet taxidermists," she | | | | to appreciate the necessity for obtaining |
| says. "And you tend to think of it being | | | | accurate identification of biological |
| archaic or a byproduct of hunting, and I'm | | | | material, or the difficulties of so doing |
| not into hunting." Morgan grew up in the | | | | without access to good reference collections. |
| countryside, surrounded by animals. Now her | | | | The strange fact is that, even as the demand |
| mum and a local vet keep her supplied with | | | | for assistance with identifications threatens |
| roadkill and deceased pets. "I get calls from | | | | to submerge those able to provide the |
| people I've only met once at a party saying | | | | service, research funders still regard |
| their cat brought something in and did I want | | | | taxonomic work with a jaundiced eye. |
| it. I will drive for miles to collect | | | | Ironically, a few weeks after making his |
| something, although I'm getting a bit sick of | | | | pronouncement the vice-chancellor mentioned |
| squirrels and pigeons." | | | | above appeared in his university's herbarium |
| | | | clutching a handful of leaves from shrubs in |
| Both Morgan and Mayer like to exhibit art | | | | the garden of his residence, asking for |
| that, unlike traditional taxidermy, makes no | | | | identification. |
| pretence to be alive. "Taxidermists are | | | | |
| really quite purist. They like to pretend | | | | The attitudes 'we've done that bit' and 'we |
| death doesn't happen and they are | | | | have all the identification keys we need, |
| resurrecting animals," says Mayer. "By | | | | thanks' are prevalent. However, keys can |
| portraying an animal as dead you get much | | | | mislead: 'it is not A or B so it must be C' |
| closer to the truth and it is more disturbing | | | | is usually how they are used; but this |
| for people to look at. I'm not interested in | | | | presupposes that all the possible species are |
| making pieces of work where people aren't | | | | in the key, while 'it' might actually be |
| challenged." Morgan, too, likes making "dead" | | | | species D! It is important always to confirm |
| sculptures. "Birds have such a good posture | | | | identification against a reputable reference |
| when they die - on their backs with their | | | | collection. More than one PhD student has |
| head on one side. It creates a heart shape. | | | | faced a massive rewrite of their thesis after |
| Their wings open and I find something quite | | | | belatedly identifying correctly the organism |
| touching about how they look - peaceful but | | | | studied using a museum reference collection. |
| vulnerable at the same time." Rather than | | | | |
| naturalistic settings, she might curl a rat | | | | Environmental Studies |
| into a wine glass. One such piece, which | | | | |
| looked like a bizarre sorbet, fetched | | | | Many studies in the fields of ecology, |
| £2,200. She currently has pieces showing | | | | evolution, pollution and climatic changes |
| at Laz Inc gallery in London and at Studeley | | | | require museum specimens. Provided selective |
| Castle in Gloucestershire. | | | | collecting is allowed for, museum collections |
| | | | are logical places for life history studies. |
| Might the return of taxidermy pose a threat | | | | Using existing collections for such studies |
| to endangered species? Six years ago, a | | | | often enables large amounts of data to be |
| taxidermist from north London who illegally | | | | accumulated in a short time on such things as |
| sold a virtual zoo of endangered species, | | | | fecundity/mortality patterns, host-parasite |
| including two stuffed tiger cubs less than a | | | | relationships, estimates of breeding seasons, |
| week old (killed before their eyes opened), | | | | micro-growth increments (many organisms show |
| was sentenced to six months in prison. Robert | | | | growth layers when sectioned, such as the |
| Sclare pleaded guilty to 29 counts of forgery | | | | 'rings' of a tree, and these can be used to |
| relating to applications to trade. After | | | | study past environmental conditions), food |
| serving his time, he returned and reopened | | | | pests, life-cycle duration, larval growth |
| his business, Get Stuffed. The shop, | | | | pattern, migration (museum collections have |
| described after the trial by animal rights | | | | been used to locate locust outbreak sites and |
| campaigners as "an animal shop of horrors" | | | | to track traditional migration patterns), |
| continues to trade today. | | | | species that mimic other animals, and other |
| | | | polymorphisms, plant fecundity, flowering and |
| According to Andy Fisher, head of the | | | | fruiting dates, periods of dormancy, and |
| Metropolitan Wildlife Crime Unit, there have | | | | correlations of plant growing sites with |
| been no big seizures of illegal taxidermy in | | | | rainfall or altitude. Systematics collections |
| the UK since Get Stuffed was raided, although | | | | provide a wealth of historical information on |
| the unit has confiscated illegal taxidermy | | | | habitat composition, and on the distribution |
| from elsewhere, including rare birds and sea | | | | of plants and animals, that is invaluable to |
| turtles. Growing interest in taxidermy is not | | | | those predicting ecological shifts due to |
| yet reflected in seizures of banned items. | | | | global climate change. For plants |
| "We do monitor various internet sites. If | | | | particularly, herbarium specimens, |
| there was a resurgence in rare species then | | | | accumulated over the past 200 years, remain |
| we would be concerned but I think the | | | | the most readily available source of |
| majority of things being sold are fairly old | | | | information on structural variation and |
| or are not banned species. It is something | | | | geographical distribution. |
| we're keeping an eye on." David Cowdrey of | | | | |
| the WWF praises the Guild of Taxidermists for | | | | Nature Conservation |
| fighting wildlife crime and says there is an | | | | |
| excellent relationship between many | | | | The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds |
| taxidermists and those tackling the trade in | | | | (RSPB) understandably discourages the use of |
| illegally killed animals. Most of the | | | | bird mounts in public displays. One museum |
| problems tend to come from foreign specimens. | | | | which put on a display to celebrate the |
| He urges people not to buy taxidermy from | | | | recent centenary of the RSPB readily agreed |
| abroad and report any suspicions to the WWF. | | | | to use a model of an Avocet prepared by an |
| Cook, meanwhile, advises buyers to beware of | | | | RSPB recommended modeller, in place of a |
| buying items said to be antique but without | | | | mount; a short time later the modeller |
| the proof. | | | | 'phoned the museum to request the loan of a |
| | | | mounted Avocet to enable him to make an |
| Fashions are cyclical and the sudden | | | | accurate model. Often it is only by studying |
| appearance of taxidermy in interior design is | | | | bird mounts and eggs from museum collections |
| an obvious reaction to minimalism, just as | | | | that artists are able to paint the colour |
| that was, in the words of Cook, "a reaction | | | | plates in the plethora of bird identification |
| against the antiquated picture of the dusty | | | | guides used by bird lovers; such artists |
| Victorian drawing room complete with | | | | still account for a large number of loans |
| aspidistra and elephant's foot umbrella | | | | from the major bird collections. |
| stand". But part of the resurgence of | | | | |
| interest in taxidermy may also be, as Cook | | | | The mapping of distribution patterns of |
| puts it, an aesthetic pleasure. She found | | | | birds, animals, plants and so on, essential |
| with taxidermy she could "make a beautiful | | | | to protect the environment, and for the |
| thing last forever". Mayer admits it can feel | | | | adequate assessment of planning applications, |
| "like cutting your mother up" when you make | | | | also needs natural history collections; maps |
| the first incision in a much-loved pet. "I've | | | | of rare and critical species can be reliably |
| got a lot of respect for animals, which is | | | | prepared only from museum (voucher) |
| why I don't anthropomorphise them. If you are | | | | specimens. Reliable maps of common species |
| going to mess around with animals you should | | | | need voucher specimens - particularly for |
| give them the best possible afterlife." | | | | islands. Many erroneous records are found, |
| | | | made by distinguished visitors who record |
| Taxidermist John Cooper & Sons | | | | what they expect to see rather than what is |
| | | | there. Vouchers are especially important for |
| The art of taxidermy today remains very much | | | | introduced species or those from limited |
| alive, although gone are the days of every | | | | habitats, and for ecological surveys. |
| town having its own taxidermist. Today's | | | | Unfortunately some important recent |
| exponents, however, still use the same basic | | | | publications on local authority nature |
| techniques as their forbears. The oldest | | | | conservation have failed to remark the |
| existing specimen is said to be a rhinoceros | | | | importance of voucher specimens and reference |
| dating from the 16th century, but the | | | | collections, and have totally ignored the |
| collector is highly unlikely to come across | | | | wealth of dedicated nature conservation |
| anything preserved before 1850. Along with | | | | expertise in local authority museums, and the |
| the increased interest in antique fishing | | | | biological recording initiatives currently |
| tackle, cased and mounted fish are now | | | | active in those museums in practically every |
| considered highly collectable and although | | | | county. However, English Nature's recent |
| prices have dropped slightly from the dizzy | | | | major report on nature conservation states: |
| heights reached a few years ago they are now | | | | 'some provincial museums and universities ... |
| starting to rise again. | | | | collections also continue to be an important |
| | | | source of reference and data supporting |
| The most sought after cases were produced by | | | | survey and other research'. Two large, and |
| John Cooper & Sons of Radnor Street, London. | | | | expensive, surveys, one for river valley |
| The company was started in the 1830's but | | | | authority in America and one for an oil |
| most of the `Cooper' cases around now date | | | | company, failed to preserve voucher material |
| from the 1870's to 1950. Most of the fish | | | | in a permanent collection. Both surveys were |
| were displayed in bowfront glass cases edged | | | | carried out by recent graduates with little |
| with gold line trim and gilt lettering. | | | | taxonomic experience, and their findings have |
| Occasionally the details of the fish were | | | | since been successfully challenged; without |
| written inside instead, presumably when | | | | the voucher material these surveys were |
| insufficient funds were available for the | | | | largely a waste of money. But accessioning |
| full works! Even if no details exist it is | | | | and maintaining voucher collections costs |
| still possible for an expert to date the case | | | | money, and, as is now generally the case in |
| as their style changed throughout the years. | | | | America, such costs should be built into |
| Early cases had pale blue backgrounds with an | | | | survey funding . |
| abundance of reeds and groundwork. By the | | | | |
| 1950's this had progressed to a green backing | | | | Biochemistry and the historical dimension |
| with a sparse interior. The fish gradually | | | | |
| became more heavily painted with every scale | | | | Objects can contain undiscovered or potential |
| accentuated. The trading label along with | | | | information, the need for which may not yet |
| their address changed frequently and is | | | | even have arisen. Natural history collections |
| another helpful factor in dating them | | | | should be regarded as 'scientific data in |
| accurately. Age is not a particular concern | | | | waiting'. After nuclear devices were tested |
| when it comes to value - more consideration | | | | in the Pacific, there was much concern about |
| is given to the size of fish for its species, | | | | radioactive contamination of the environment, |
| the quality of the mounting and the overall | | | | especially of resident plants and animals. |
| aesthetic appearance. Multiple cases and | | | | But how could anyone guess what were the |
| those with original gold lettering are worth | | | | levels in these organisms before the tests? |
| a premium. Fish taxidermy tended to be more | | | | Specimens in collections provided the answer. |
| specialised than other forms and as Cooper's | | | | Other researchers needed dated samples of |
| fame grew fish were sent to them from all | | | | earth for heavy metal analysis; the only |
| over the country and although they appeared | | | | source they could find was the earth adhering |
| to have the monopoly other equally good firms | | | | to herbarium specimens. The effect of |
| were in business. One of these was W. F. | | | | pesticides such as DDT on the thickness of |
| Homer, also of London and although examples | | | | the shells of eggs of birds of prey was only |
| of their work may be harder to find the | | | | shown because of the existence of |
| search is usually well rewarded as their | | | | well-documented egg collections. With new |
| cases are most attractive. Malloch of Perth | | | | techniques the DNA of long-dead specimens can |
| also produced excellent specimens, many of | | | | be sequenced, such as that from the Quagga |
| which were finely painted plaster casts of | | | | (an extinct horse), from Mammoth remains, and |
| trout and salmon often mounted in unique | | | | the DNA from a 20 million-year old magnolia |
| barrel shaped cases. They also produced many | | | | leaf. The chemistry of feathers has shown |
| of the carved wood game fish earlier this | | | | past levels of environmental mercury, and can |
| century. | | | | also establish the probable origins of bird |
| | | | specimens. Current concern with tri-butyl tin |
| If you are lucky enough to find an old case | | | | antifouling paint on boats required pre-1950 |
| of fish, but in a damaged and sorry state - | | | | samples of the dogwhelk to study the |
| do not despair! More can be done to restore | | | | long-term effects. Research at Manchester |
| these back to their former glory than any | | | | Museum has shown that the shell of the common |
| other form of taxidermy and unlike many | | | | winkle can be used to establish an accurate |
| antiques, good quality restoration will | | | | measure of some critical levels of |
| hardly detract from its value. A number of | | | | radioactivity in coastal waters. The work |
| auction houses now run specialist piscatorial | | | | required dated and localised winkle shells |
| sales. But beware, this can be shaky ground | | | | from the past 50 years to establish |
| for the uninitiated. Fakes abound and are | | | | historical levels; these shells were provided |
| sometimes hard to distinguish from the | | | | from museum collections in the region. |
| genuine article even for the experts. Buying | | | | |
| from a reputable dealer will bring you peace | | | | The broad aspects of the study of evolution |
| of mind and is likely to be cheaper too. | | | | depend upon carefully assembled scientific |
| | | | collections for data, comparative analysis, |
| So what if you land your dream fish and | | | | and verification. Classified museum specimens |
| decide to have it preserved for posterity? No | | | | are essential for studying the relationship |
| problem, although these days it is normally | | | | between different groups of animals, |
| only game or sea fish that are mounted. The | | | | variation within a single species and between |
| most important thing to remember is NEVER gut | | | | the sexes, variation with climate, latitude, |
| the fish as this will ruin the whole | | | | and with isolation on islands, character |
| procedure. Wrap your catch in plenty of | | | | displacement, niche-variation hypotheses, and |
| newspaper, taking care not to damage the fins | | | | predator-prey relationships. This last |
| and place in a freezer as soon as possible. | | | | involves identifying dismembered and partly |
| Once frozen it can safely remain there for | | | | digested stomach contents, which cannot |
| several months. Mounting your trophy can be a | | | | easily be done without reference collections |
| long process (fortunately giving you a | | | | to compare the remains with. |
| breathing space to save up for the high | | | | |
| cost!). The recent world record 1331b eel set | | | | The study of museum specimens can suggest |
| up by us took around five months to complete. | | | | hypotheses which are later tested by field |
| Much of this is drying time, depending on the | | | | observation, for example, crest and facial |
| size and oil content of the fish and speeding | | | | markings of Stellar's Jays suggested an |
| up this process will only produce a poor | | | | hypothesis about communication which was then |
| result in the long term. After defrosting, | | | | tested and proved in the field. Alternatively |
| the fish is cut along the lateral line, | | | | field observations often need museum specimen |
| skinned out and cured with a preserving | | | | follow up, for example, the elucidation of |
| solution. Meanwhile a false inside (a | | | | sonic communication in baleen whales required |
| mannequin) is carved from styrofoam to the | | | | a study of the anatomy of their larynx using |
| exact shape of the original fish. The skin is | | | | museum specimens. Other studies include |
| then placed around this and left to dry with | | | | Felidae (cat family) skulls used to study |
| regular checks made to correct any oil | | | | brain evolution in carnivores; mounted |
| seepage, a particular problem with salmon. | | | | mammals used for identifying casts of |
| When completely dry the skin has to be | | | | footprints from game and nature reserves; a |
| painted as by this time it will have lost all | | | | host-parasite study using follicle-mites from |
| its colour. This is the really skilful part | | | | pocket mouse specimens; estimating |
| and sorts out the men from the boys Dulux, in | | | | litter-sizes from nipple number in small |
| this instance, is not the right medium!) | | | | marsupials. |
| Several washes of colour are applied to make | | | | |
| the fish look as realistic as possible. The | | | | Archaeology and Ethnology |
| casing is a matter of personal choice and | | | | |
| although the fish may just be mounted on a | | | | Identification of bone, shell and insect |
| wooden board it is not generally recommended. | | | | fragments from archaeological burials and |
| A traditional setting in a bow fronted glass | | | | excavations, to assist the correct |
| case complete with gilt lettering is still | | | | interpretation of the site. Ethnologists also |
| the best method and will become an antique of | | | | require bits and pieces of feather, fur, |
| the future, not to mention the pleasure | | | | skin, bone, shells and botanical material |
| gained of having a permanent record of the | | | | such as gourds identified in human artifacts. |
| big one that didn't get away! | | | | These identifications would be impossible |
| | | | without extensive reference collections. |
| David McKinley | | | | |
| | | | Historical studies |
| Today's perspective | | | | |
| | | | Collections can yield information of |
| Today taxidermy in its broadest forms has | | | | importance in historical studies. The |
| undergone a welcome transformation. It is now | | | | collecting data attached to specimens |
| traded globally with collectors seeking | | | | collected during expeditions and campaigns |
| historical pieces from Europe North America, | | | | has assisted in fixing other historical |
| South Africa and Australia. Demand appears to | | | | events in sequence. The history of anatomical |
| be exceeding supply currently pushing prices | | | | preservation, and of taxidermy, can only be |
| ever higher. | | | | studied using museum specimens. |
| | | | |
| Internet services and of course EBay have of | | | | USE OF NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS BY SOCIETY |
| course broaden both the availability and | | | | |
| appeal. Items by both modern day taxidermy | | | | Education |
| exponents such as Mike Gadd and AJ Armitstead | | | | |
| and the most famous Victorian firms now fetch | | | | The museum's medium is the object; the object |
| thousands of pounds at auction. | | | | is the museum's message (pace McLuhan). |
| | | | Museum exhibits, lectures and publications in |
| The law has also caught up and rightly so | | | | natural history are popular, and fortunately |
| with this trade. There are restrictions on | | | | they are also widely regarded as |
| the sale and trade of endangered species. The | | | | contributions to society valuable enough to |
| US and the UK, in my opinion have the most | | | | justify the costs of museums. Unfortunately |
| comprehensive sets of taxidermy legislation | | | | the delivery system (galleries and |
| currently in force. Again these can be | | | | catalogues) attracts most of the support, |
| researched easily and comprehensively on the | | | | while the creative source of the goods |
| internet. | | | | delivered (curatorial research) receives |
| | | | small encouragement. But without research |
| My suggestion to those who are seeking to | | | | only a partial and inaccurate interpretation |
| begin to collect taxidermy is firstly: | | | | of the specimens is possible. Nowadays most |
| | | | museums fulfil the education role with |
| - To understand the laws governing the | | | | reasonable success; ecological displays help |
| taxidermy trade | | | | explain the diversity of the life forms that |
| | | | sustain us, show the major patterns of |
| - Seek out good exponents of the art form | | | | geographic dispersal, and demonstrate the |
| | | | interrelationships between organisms. Natural |
| - Make sure that the Victorian items | | | | history specimens are used for school loan |
| purchased are no infected with insects | | | | services, and provide a range of specimens |
| | | | for identification in biology examinations at |
| - Research both taxidermy dealers and | | | | all levels. A numeracy centre used shells |
| taxidermy collectors on the internet and when | | | | borrowed from a museum to illustrate to |
| confident go to specialist auction, eBay and | | | | disadvantaged adults how the mathematics of |
| purchase from private collectors | | | | spirals occur in nature. The tent markings on |
| | | | venerid bivalves and olive and volute shells |
| Wild Birds and the Law | | | | have been used in an artificial intelligence |
| | | | study. |
| The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Part 1 | | | | |
| | | | Law Enforcement |
| Definition of a wild bird, and Game Birds | | | | |
| | | | 'Aiding the police in their enquiries', |
| Shooting seasons | | | | museum reference collections can identify |
| | | | hair as human or non-human, can tell the age |
| Basic protection | | | | and race of an unearthed human skull, |
| | | | accurately identify hairs as evidence in |
| Sale of live birds | | | | prosecutions over badger hunting, and |
| | | | identify pollen grains or grass fragments for |
| Sale of dead birds | | | | 'scene of crime' forensics, all of which can |
| | | | only be done with the authority of a |
| Exhibitions | | | | reference collection. Collections also help |
| | | | customs officers keep our green and pleasant |
| Killing and taking birds | | | | land unsullied by illegal animal and plant |
| | | | imports: powdered keratin from rhino horn, |
| Birds in captivity | | | | horn or ivory objects, or pelts and leathers |
| | | | - often as made up goods. Sometimes only a |
| Attempting to commit an offence | | | | tuft of feather or hair, or a small piece of |
| | | | skin is available, and without considerable |
| Egg Collections | | | | expertise backed by extensive reference |
| | | | collections the task of positive |
| Licences | | | | identification would be impossible. The |
| | | | public is usually quite unaware of this |
| Falconry | | | | activity. Without it, the legislators could |
| | | | legislate about the control of export or |
| Fines & penalties | | | | import of animals and plants until they were |
| | | | blue in the face - but to little effect. |
| Schedules (lists of birds) | | | | |
| | | | Medicine and Health |
| Definition of a wild bird | | | | |
| | | | Another success story for natural history |
| The definition of a 'wild bird' in Section 27 | | | | collections: environmental health officers |
| of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 | | | | with their mangled, cooked or partially |
| changed in 2004. A new Statutory Instrument | | | | digested animal remains - a snail in a can of |
| (SI 2004 No. 1487) which came into force on | | | | peas, a slug in raspberry jam, or the cat |
| 14 July 2004 means that a 'wild bird' as | | | | bones in a tandoori curry - all need careful |
| defined by the Act is now any species which | | | | identification plus expert opinion upon where |
| is ordinarily resident in or is a visitor to | | | | the 'foreign body' entered the process, often |
| 'the European Territory of any Member State' | | | | with legal proceedings pending; usually such |
| (of the EU). Previously, 'wild bird' only | | | | identifications can only be done using |
| referred to birds which occurred in Great | | | | reference collections. These officers also |
| Britain. This brings the WCA in line with the | | | | rely heavily on their local museums for help |
| EC Birds Directive and makes it illegal to be | | | | identifying infestations. A large reference |
| in possession in the UK of any eggs or birds | | | | collection is needed to assist the rapid |
| of any species taken from the wild in another | | | | identification of accidentally ingested toxic |
| Member State. | | | | plant material, to enable the medical team |
| | | | involved to apply the appropriate, sometimes |
| Poultry or Game birds (see lists below) | | | | life-saving, treatment. |
| however are not included in the Wildlife and | | | | |
| Countryside Act. A bird is only classed as | | | | A dental professor, studying cleft palate in |
| bred in captivity if both parents were in | | | | humans, made considerable use of crocodile |
| lawful captivity when the egg was laid. Game | | | | skulls. Another dental researcher used |
| is covered by the Game Acts which fully | | | | samples from the legs of dated water bird |
| protect them during the close season. | | | | specimens in studying historical levels of |
| | | | fluoride. Near-Eastern hamster specimens were |
| Basic Protection | | | | used in a medical study on toxoplasmosis. In |
| | | | America mammal collections have yielded |
| All birds, their nests and eggs are protected | | | | information on Chaga's disease and |
| by law and it is thus an offence, with | | | | haemorrhagic fever. The control of other |
| certain exceptions (see below) intentionally | | | | diseases - bilharzia, bubonic plague, |
| to: | | | | schistosomiasis, malaria and river blindness |
| | | | - all depend on very precise identification |
| Kill, injure or take any wild bird. | | | | of the animals transmitting the disease, |
| | | | using reference collections. Psychiatrists |
| Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild | | | | regularly use specimens of birds, bees, |
| bird while it is in use or being built. (see | | | | butterflies, small mammals and so on from |
| time for cutting hedges) | | | | museums for the treatment of phobias; by |
| | | | controlled gradual increased exposure to the |
| Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. | | | | specimens, patients learn to control their |
| | | | irrational fear of the living animals. |
| Have in one's possession or control any wild | | | | |
| bird (dead or alive) or any part of a wild | | | | Commerce |
| bird which has been taken in contravention of | | | | |
| the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954. | | | | Advertising agencies and television companies |
| | | | borrow material for use in the background of |
| Have in one's possession or control any egg | | | | 'shots',and, as mentioned above, most of the |
| or part of an egg which has been taken in | | | | highly popular colour-plate nature books are |
| contravention to the Act. This includes items | | | | almost entirely illustrated using museum |
| taken or killed before the passing of the | | | | specimens. Another unusual commercial use of |
| Act. | | | | the biological collection was illustrated by |
| | | | the college of textiles students who used |
| Have in one's possession or control any live | | | | shells as inspiration for designing a cloth, |
| bird of prey of any species in the world | | | | which won a prize. Then there were the |
| (with the exception of vultures and condors) | | | | industrial design students who used armadillo |
| unless it is registered and ringed in | | | | skeletons as the inspiration for 'comfort |
| accordance with the Secretary of State's | | | | chairs', and the top yacht designer who spent |
| regulations. | | | | much time studying tunnyfish specimens as an |
| | | | aid to designing faster yachts. The next |
| Have in one's possession or control any bird | | | | generation of airliners will have less drag |
| of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the | | | | because the designers studied preserved shark |
| Act unless registered (and in some cases | | | | skin, and have copied the surface structure |
| ringed) in accordance with the Secretary of | | | | that makes the shark such an efficient |
| State's regulations. | | | | swimmer. A lecturer in a university |
| | | | engineering department routinely instructs |
| Disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 | | | | students who need to solve a novel |
| while it is nest building, or at a nest | | | | engineering problem to go and find an animal |
| containing eggs or young, or disturb the | | | | which has already solved it; the museum |
| dependent young of such a bird. | | | | collection often provides the answer. |
| | | | Isambard Kingdom Brunel is said to have |
| Sale of Live Wild Birds and Their Eggs | | | | gained inspiration for designing the |
| | | | tunnelling shield from examining museum |
| Unless appropriately licensed it is an | | | | specimens of the shipworm Teredo. Following |
| offence to sell, offer for sale, possess or | | | | planes hitting birds, airlines have required |
| transport for sale or exchange: | | | | feather fragments from aeroengines identified |
| | | | by museums to determine the species |
| Any live bird unless listed on Schedule 3, | | | | responsible. Herbarium specimens are used in |
| Part I and then only if aviary bred and close | | | | researching new fragrances, and in the search |
| ringed with an approved ring as defined by | | | | for new drugs. |
| the Secretary of State's regulations. The egg | | | | |
| of any wild bird (whether or not taken in | | | | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| contravention of the Act). | | | | |
| | | | Crop pests can be studied in part by |
| Sale of Dead Wild Birds | | | | examining pest-damaged material in herbaria |
| | | | (galls, etc); potential control organisms for |
| Unless appropriately licensed it is an | | | | weeds can be identified by studying 'habitat' |
| offence to sell, offer, possess or transport | | | | details of insects as recorded on museum |
| for sale or hire any dead wild birds (or skin | | | | labels. The prickly pear invasion in |
| or part of such a bird) other than a bird on | | | | Australia was successfully controlled |
| Schedule 3, Part II or lll unless the vendor | | | | following a study of this kind. Insect pests, |
| has been registered and the bird marked in | | | | and suspicious weeds and seeds, all need the |
| accordance with regulations laid down by the | | | | collection for reliable identification. |
| Secretary of State. | | | | Otolith (ear-stone) collections give |
| | | | information on the historical age |
| Birds listed on Schedule 3, Part II may be | | | | distribution of populations of fish and |
| sold dead at all times, those on Schedule 3, | | | | whales, and the results can demonstrate |
| Part III may only be sold dead from 1 | | | | whether the stocks are declining. |
| September until 28 February. | | | | |
| | | | Acknowledgement |
| Game birds may only be sold dead during the | | | | |
| open season and for a period of up to 10 days | | | | Every point made in this article is backed by |
| immediately after the end of that season. | | | | a published reference or personal knowledge; |
| | | | over 150 relevant papers and reports, all |
| Exhibition of Wild Birds | | | | published in the last fifteen years, have |
| | | | been abstracted while preparing the article, |
| It is an offence to show at any competition, | | | | and much useful information has been provided |
| or in premises in which a competition is | | | | by colleagues in the Biology Curators Group. |
| being held, any live wild birds unless listed | | | | |