234 
“List of Norfolk and Suffolk Birds,” but tbe information here given 
is generally fuller and more precise -with regard to dates, &c., than 
in the published list. It is impossible to peruse the notes without 
being struck with the rapid development of the love for Nahiral 
History pursuits which evidently took place during the latter years 
of Mr. Whitear’s life, and one cannot but feel that had he 
been spared, he would, doubtless, have taken a prominent place 
amongst the men who about that time were laying the foundation 
of the present school of Naturalists. This, however, was not to be, 
and the writer of the obituary notice before referred to (‘ Gentle- 
man’s Magazine,’ vol. xcvii. p. 280, 281), thus records the 
melancholy circumstances which led to his untimely death : — 
“ In consequence of nightly [poaching] depredations frequently committed 
in the neighbourhood, the inhabitants of Starston had undertaken to watch 
occasionally by turns ; some went out themselves, others performed their duty 
by deputy. Mr. VVhitear, with his usual forwardness in all matters of public 
utility, volunteered his personal services. Great security had accrued from 
this practice ; but some relaxation having latterly taken place, depredations 
were returning to their former frequency, and it seemed expedient to resort 
again to the active measures formerly employed. Certain circumstances 
having transpired, which created a suspicion that a man of notoriously 
dishonest character might probably be detected in some illegal act on the 
night of the 27th November, and be thus prevented from doing further 
mischief, the whole of the watch agreed to be on the look out. Fire-arms 
having been unaccountably put into the hands of some of the party, to the 
total frustration of the object in view, one of them, seized with a panic 
amounting to absolute frenzy, fired, or attempted to fire, at every one of 
whom he caught sight. Unhappily his piece was discharged when directed 
at Mr. Whitear, and this amiable and excellent man fell a sacrifice to his 
public spirit, which would not allow him on such an emergency to decline 
sharing the danger with his parishioners.” 
Mr. Wbitear’s death took place on the 10th December, 1826, at 
the age of forty-eight, his widow surviving him till 29th December, 
1859. Of Mr. Whitear’s children, his only son (the Kev. William 
Whitear) and two of three daughters, are still living; to the 
youngest of the latter. Miss Whitear, of Wortwell, belong the MS. 
Journals from which the following extracts have been selected. 
The Eev. Professor Mayor, of St. John’s College, Cambridge, 
has kindly furnished some valuable information embodied in the 
above notice; the foot-notes to the Calendar are by Professor 
Newton. — T. S.] 
