MEMOlU OF THE LATE JOHN SCALES. 
yi 
collectioiLS of natural history ; and during his occupancy continued 
to add to them, being aided therein by the exertions of his wife, 
until the collection of stuffed birds amounted to nearly two 
hundred specimens, while that of insects, which was begun, as has 
been already said, by his father, was considered by experts to bo 
0110 of tlie largest in the kingdom. His collection of birds’ eggs 
was likewise very important. In a letter addressed to Seales dated 
Hocember 12tli, 1831, Ileysham remarks: “1 had, I must confess, 
not tho least idea that you possessed the most extensive collection 
of eggs of the Lritish IJirds hitherto formed in this country, as I 
am inclined to tliink from the list of your desiderata that it is 
equal if not superior to that of Mr. Yarrell of Ityder Street, 
London, wlio 1 always understood had tho linest in England.” 
Salmon, writing some years later to l.,ubbock,* designates the plan 
on wliieh it was arranged as tho best for a public museum ; and 
writing, yet more than twenty ycare after that, to "Wollej’,! says 
that tho first Great Auk’s egg he ever saw was in Scales’s posses- 
sion, in 1828, being that which he obtained, as already statetl, 
in Paris some eleven or twelve years before. 
To tho period of his residence at iNarborough belong several 
letters that have been preserved. The first, dated “ Tho College, 
Ely, 27 September,” and apparently Avritten in 1828, from 
i\lr, George llelsham, afterwards of Woodbridge, but at that time 
completing his medical studies, and, as tho letter shews, a young 
man of great promise.;}: In it he lays before Scales his troubles and 
doubts in determining the specific distinctions of lied polls and 
AVillow- Wrens — points which, though really long since set at rest, 
Avere at the time open to discussion, and even noAvadays arc 
•This letter, dated August 16th, 183 1, is inserted in his MS. Diary, 
now in the possession of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum. 
t Letter dated April 9th, 1858, ih my possession. 
J After I formed this opinion, as none indeed could fail to do, from reading 
the letter, I was glad to find it confirmed by Freeman, the author of that 
to a naturalist most tantalizing Avork the ‘ Life of the Rev. William Kirby ’ 
(p. 66), Avhereiu is contained a singularly interesting letter to Helsham from 
Kirby. llelsham died at Woodbridge, May 31st, 1836. His collections and 
papers passed into the possession of his brother-in-law, Mr. Jones, of that 
place, but I regret that after enquiry I have failed to get any further 
information as to his relations with Scales. 
