which are represented by eleven species, some extremely rare, and 

 all adorned with fantastic plumage of the most gorgeous colours." 



This report, while it foreshadows the completion of 

 this branch of work, also holds out the prospect of the 

 Committee being able to exhibit in appropriate cases, 

 small groups of special families, such as the Birds of 

 Paradise. These, when arranged, will prove an at- 

 tractive addition to a most interesting department. 



Special (Bifts. 



During the year a very important presentation in 

 the department of Manuscripts has been made, relating 

 to the short but dramatic career of the poet Chatterton, 

 whose name is inseparably associated with the City. 

 In the month of May the Committee received as a gift 

 to the City, the collection of Chatterton relics which 

 had formerly been collected and owned by Mr. Sholto 

 Vere Hare, who took a lively interest in all that related 

 to the " boy-poet." The collection consisted chiefly of 

 original and unique autograph writings, including the 

 celebrated pocket-book or diary found after the un- 

 happy owner's death ; and the whole formed a most 

 notable addition to the Chatterton relics already in the 

 possession of the Corporation. The opportunity of 

 obtaining such rare manuscripts was an exceptional 

 one, and although they could not be acquired for the 

 City in the London sale room, through the instru- 

 mentality of Mr. John E. Pritchard the final disposal of 

 them otherwise was for a time delayed. In the end 

 they were, happily, obtained from the private hands 

 into which they had fallen by Sir George White, Bart., 

 and were by him presented to the City. The gift was 

 accepted most gratefully, and the entire collection of 

 Chatterton relics being now so extensive and valuable, 





