Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1875.
Feb. 9 [February 9, 1975] ornithological recluse who died last
week (Vide pamph. [pamphlet] Life of J. G. [James Gately] with enclosed obituary
notice). After some slight dinner on the
part of Mr. Twitchel in whose keeping
they were, we effected our purpose and
gained admittance to the town hall where
the collections are temporarily stored.
The major part of the collection consisted
of mounted birds and mammals, most
tastefully grouped in glass cases. For the
most part they were arranged by
families, each family occupying a
separate tree or case. His positions
though replete with bold originality of
design, lacked in most instances
gracefulness of pose and delicacy of
finish. Still as a whole his work
was far superior to that of the 
average taxidermist and some few
of his efforts were really masterpieces.
Exotic species were so freely mixed
with native in these cases that it was
difficult to judge of his success as
local collector but I noticed the
following species which were unquestionably
taken by him in this place. Porzana
noveboracensis a pair; Cot. Henslowii [Coturniculus Henslowii], one;
Dend. castanea [Dendroica castanea]: Astur atricapillus (adlt [adult] feeding
chicks in nest, the latter possibly of other
parentage). etc. Besides the mounted specimens
there were also some 500 skins, about half
idigenous [indigenous] species. Among his books the only
ornithological authority was a very dilapidated
copy of Wilson