MR. SOUTHWELL ON ADDITIONS TO THE NORWICH CASTLE-MUSEUM. 85 
during the Jirst three days on which it was open; and the interest 
seems hardly to have shown any appreciable falling off, even at 
present. 
It would be out of place here to give any detailed description 
of the building, and it is only necessary to say that ample space 
is provided, in well-lighted rooms, for the proper display of the 
objects in every department ; and that the fittings are not only 
handsome, but of the most modern construction, the whole building 
being thoroughly ventilated and warmed, and lighted by electricity. 
It is difficult to recognise some of the old occupants of the late 
Museum in their new home, their appearance is so improved. But 
I think we did not appreciate the beauty and extent of the line 
collection of Raptorial Birds until we saw them in their splendid 
new cases ; and it needs also a visit to the Skin Room, where 
cabinet after cabinet will be found filled with unmounted skins, 
fully to comprehend its magnitude. In the British Bird Room, 
too, many of our old favourites show to much greater advantage ; 
and the beautiful case containing the fine group of seven Bustards 
of the indigenous Norfolk race, I think cannot fail to excite not 
only interest but admiration. 
But it is to additions rather than to improvements that these 
Notes are intended to refer ; and I must apologise for being led 
into rather a long preamble, by the excusable gratification which 
I feel at the vastly improved conditions inaugurated since my last 
report. 
In the department of Mammalia, amongst other additions, we 
have to thank Mr. E. G. Buxton for two good specimens of the 
Otter, killed on Barton Broad ; an Opossum and a young Dasyurus 
from Australia, from Mr. T. S. Breeze. These are all useful as 
additional or fresher examples for the collection in the Mammalian 
Room. 
Among the additions to the British Birds the following may be 
mentioned : — A very beautiful variety of the Night-jar ( Capri - 
mill <jus europceus) killed at Holt in September, 1858, presented 
by M r. George Wilkinson. There is in the collection a similar 
variety, which was presented by Lord Hastings, and was probably 
obtained in the same neighbourhood. Independently of the rarity 
of variations in this species, these specimens are of interest from the 
fact of similar varieties having been produced in the neighbourhood of 
