The Brit. Mus. [British Museum] bird coll. [collection] now numbers
about 300,000 specimens all in Salvin cases
very handsome, all of polished mahogany.
Small birds in glass-topped paper boxes
within the drawers. No Dermestes or
A[?] in England. Moths trouble
a little, not much. Dust & soot
greatly feared. Bird [sic] [Birds], especially 
white ones, cannot be left out on
tables without serious injury (The
House Sparrows in London are all
nearly black.)
  Lunched with Sharpe & Saunders.
Returning to museum met Mr. Grant
a young Scotchman who assists
Sharpe. The latter's right-hand man
is one Chubb, an ex butler and
a mean looking wretch but said
to be a marvel of fidelity & accuracy.
He catalogues all the specimens &
his books are beautifully kept.
  Returned to Hotel at 6 P.M. dining
there & spending evening alone.
London
July 21. Cloudy & clear with showers
Immediately after breakfast called
on Salvin & Godman. The latter in
the country but the former at home.
An oldish man apparently in ill health
and somewhat feeble but with a
bright, cheerful smile and exceedingly
kind, sympathetic manner, not at all
an English manner but reminding me
of our Asa Gray's. Talked less about
his own matters than mine drawing
me out with questions about my
collection etc. Showed me a small
Petrel new to England just taken
on coast. Could not imagine what my
Puffin off coast of Ireland could have
been. Asked me to visit him next
year to hear the nightingales which
are numerous about his house.
Next to Browne, Shipley & Co's by cab. Then
returned & called on Dr. Sclater. He
received me with great kingness
and after showing me a remarkable