30 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. 



and set up, 4 cases of birds, 8 cases of insects, 8 boxes of eggs, some 

 stuffed mammals, spiders, &c., and 210 bird skins, sold for ^39. 

 Many of the lots were purchased by relatives, and presented to 

 the Southend Institute. This now contains his herbarium, con- 

 sisting of two large portfolios of plants and one of grasses, all well 

 preserved and carefully labelled ; two volumes of meteorological 

 observations, extending from 1834 to May, 1869, and containing 

 daily entries relating to the wind, thermometer, rainfall, barometer, 

 &c., &c., from January, 1841, to the date named; the MS. already 

 alluded to ; and a fine collection of stuffed birds and skins, pre- 

 sented by his executor. He has also left an interesting journal 

 of his natural history observations, which is now in the posses- 

 sion of his brother-in-law, Mr. Philip Benton, of Great Wakering, 

 for whom he prepared a flora of Rochford Hundred, which will 

 probably be printed at the end of his History of Rochford Hundred. 

 (35). Part of his collection of butterflies and beetles is now in the 

 possession of Mr. Philip Benton, but the greater portion is with his 

 other specimens at the Southend Institute. Numerous references to 

 his birds, now at Southend, will be found scattered throughout this 

 work. 



RUSSELL, Col. Champion (1820-1887), of Stubbers, North 

 Ockendon, was eldest son of the late Champion E. Branfill, of 

 Upminster Hall, but assumed the name of Russell on succeeding to 

 the estates of the late Joseph Russell. He married in 1855, Emily 

 Augusta, eldest daughter of the late Rev. C. Way. On March 3rd, 

 1852, he qualified as a Justice of the Peace for the county, and 

 among the county committees of which he was a member at the time 

 of his death were the Highways and Bridges, the Constabulary, and 

 the South Essex Licensing Committees. He was also a D.L. for 

 Essex, and was High Sheriff in 1858. Colonel Russell was for many 

 years connected with the Militia and Volunteer forces. He joined 

 the West Essex Militia, now the Fourth Battalion Essex Regiment, 

 as a captain in 1852. He was promoted to the rank of major in 

 1855, to hon. lieutenant-colonel in 1880, and retired from the service 

 in March, 1882, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. From i860 to 

 1873 he was also captain of the Romford company of Rifle Volunteers. 

 He showed the vigour of his character at Cambridge by winning 

 the Wingfield Sculls, becoming amateur champion sculler of the 

 Thames in 1846. He was, however, above all things, a keen 

 observer of nature, an enthusiastic wild-fowl sportsman, and a 

 strong friend of fishermen gunners. Few faces were better known 



