376 OBITUARY NOTICE.— MAJOR BROWNE 



At the time of the sale of the Twizell House Estate, 

 a few years after the death of that eminent ornithologist, 

 and member of our Club, Mr P. J. Selby, Major Browne 

 became possessed of the fine collection of stuffed birds, 

 which had been preserved and set up by the butler of 

 Twizell House, under Mr Selby's guidance. Many of 

 these birds had been etched for Selby's great work, and 

 were of considerable age. Major Browne had them inspected 

 and restored, by Gardener of Oxford St., London, who has 

 imparted a remarkable freshness and life-like effect to these 

 interesting specimens. 



Major Browne became a member of the Berwickshire 

 Naturalists' Club in 1889, and, when in health, frequently 

 attended the meetings. Two of these were held on his 

 invitation at Callaly, when nearly one hundred members, 

 on each occasion, enjoyed a day among the many objects 

 of interest in the camps of Thrunton, the Grounds, and 

 Museum at the Castle. Towards evening the members 

 were entertained o a sumptuous dinner by their generous 

 host. 



Major Browne was an extensive employer of labour on 

 his large estates, and was a kind master to his retainers. 

 He was unsparing in farm improvements for the tenants, 

 and a liberal subscriber to most of the local and national 

 societies, calculated to promote and stimulate agricultural 

 enterprise and well-being. 



Note. — Towards the end of June 1899, while this Memoir 

 was being printed, the public newsprints recorded the sale 

 of the first part of the collections in the Museum, and 

 stated that the total amount realised was £25,033. The 

 dispersion of this famous collection will be greatly regretted 

 by the members of the Club. 



