xxxii. 
INTRODUCTION. 
is absolutely devoid of interest as a county collection ; it is 
in a deplorable state, specimens being wrongly labelled and 
apparently cared for by no one. There are some rare 
specimens, but we were unable to obtain any information 
concerning them from the authorities. 
In Ryde, at the Museum of the School of Art, 37, 
George Street ; 
At Newport, in the Museum in Quay Street, and 
At Ventnor, in the Literary and Scientific Institute in 
the High Street, are small collections of birds, but they 
are valueless, being in bad condition, and most of the 
specimens without labels and uncared for. 
It is a great pity that so many of the above collections 
are in such a neglected condition. As they are at present 
they are of no interest nor value to anyone, and were 
better destroyed. If they are to be preserved, would not 
some person interested in ornithology undertake the re- 
arrangement and care of them, studying as an example the 
Winchester Collection, now being set in order by Mr. 
Chalkley } 
There is, besides, a collection in the Museum of Haslar 
Hospital at Gosport. 
The Earl of Selborne and the Earl of Normanton also 
have small but interesting collections at Blackmoor and 
Somerley respectively. 
Of the Isle of Wight birds the most valuable collection 
was that possessed by Mr. V. A. Willett, of Strathwell, 
near Whitwell, in the Island, of which he furnished us with 
many interesting data, but the collection is now dispersed. 
Of collections of eggs, that owned by Dr. Rake, of 
Fordingbridge, is exceptionally interesting, having been 
collected by his father ; many of the specimens are 
mentioned in Wise's " New Forest." 
