l8 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



" Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological Society " in 

 1879. In this list are many additional records of rare Birds 

 as well as species not recorded previously. Later on (1887), 

 Mr. Beckwith commenced a series of papers in the same 

 publication, entitled " Notes on Shropshire Birds." These 

 are of the greatest value and interest, as they give full details 

 of the habits of all our commoner Wild Birds ; drawn mainly 

 from his own personal observation. These notes would have 

 been published as a book, but his death in 1892, unfortu- 

 nately, put an end to them when only half completed.* In 

 1897 Mr. G. H. Paddock, of Newport, Salop, published, 

 privately, a book on " Shropshire Birds," containing notes on 

 their habits from his own observations, and added two 

 species to the list, as well as recording the nesting of several 

 Birds in the County not previously noticed. Besides the 

 above who have written on the subject, our County owes 

 much to the two taxidermists WILLIAM FRANKLIN 

 and HARRY SHAW whose skill and originality were so 

 universally recognised that Shrewsbury became the " Mecca 

 of Ornithologists," and their services were sought by 

 collectors and sportsmen from all parts of the kingdom. 

 Much, too, is owing to WILLIAM PINCHES, THOMAS 

 BODENHAM, and LORD HILL, who made collections of Birds 

 in which Shropshire specimens occupy a prominent place. 



William Edmund Beckwith was born at Eaton 

 Constantine, Dec. 17, 1844. He was educated at Bridg- 

 north, and afterwards at King's College, London. He 

 then came to reside at Eaton Constantine, and lived 

 there till the death of his father (Rector of that place) in 

 1888. From his earliest years he showed his strong love 



*NOTE. If this book is successful, possibly arrangements may be made to 

 complete these notes and publish them as a supplement. 



