MISCELLANY. 
si* 
Although specifically termed “ Common,” the Taunton Courier is perfectly cor¬ 
rect i n stating the Shoveller to he a rare British bird; and the designation is 
only applied in this, as in too many other instances, from the supposed or actual 
want of a better appellation.— Ed. NatC\ 
Weavers Museum at Birmingham. —Some years ago'we had the pleasure of 
inspecting this fine collection, brought together by the zeal and assiduity of a 
poor tradesman, who opened his museum to the public daily for a small sum. 
Great, however, as was his ardour in the cause of Natural History, and arduous 
as must have been the task, to a man in his station of life, of collecting and 
preserving the numerous, beautiful, and frequently valuable objects which filled his 
large room, Mr. Weaver appeared in many respects but ill satisfied with his 
altered mode of existence, and even then contemplated, if we mistake not, dis¬ 
posing of his museum. Since the collection not only formed one of the many 
u lions ” of Birmingham, was not only an ornament to the town and an honour 
to himself, but became celebrated over the whole country, Mr. Weaver’s towns¬ 
men would naturally feel desirous of making an arrangement for permanently 
retaining the museum in their possession. From whatever cause arising, it seems 
that Mr. Weaver has disposed of his collection, as appears by the following 
announcement in the Leamington Chronicle of Feb. 8, 1838:— 
“ We sincerely congratulate the public that Weaver’s valuable museum will 
be preserved entire to the town and neighbourhood. Through the exertions of 
Mr. Sands Cox, arrangements have been made to connect the whole with that 
belonging to the Royal School of Medicine and Surgery, and the two combined 
cannot but form one of the most interesting and unequalled collections in the 
Provinces.” 
We have pleasure in recording the names of those individuals who have 
honoured themselves by assisting Mr. Cox in his laudable endeavours :—Earls of 
Stamford and Warrington, Dartmouth, Howe, Bradford, Mountnorris ; 
Lord Calthorp ; Sir J. Mordaunt, Bart,, M.P.; Sir F. Lawley, Bart.; Sir C. 
Throckmorton, Bart.; Sir E. E. Wilmot, Bart., M.P.; Evelyn Shirley, Esq., 
M.P.; W. S. Dugdale, Esq., M.P.; J. Scholefield, Esq., M.P.; the Dean of 
Lichfield ; the Rev. Chancellor Law ; the Rev. Egerton Bagot ; the Rev. 
T. Gisborne; the High Bailiff; John Gough, Bolton King, James Taylor, 
E. Johnstone, and J. E. Piercy, Esquires. 
Some time since, Dr. Shirley Palmer, of Birmingham, published a catalogue 
of Mr. Weaver’s museum. We should be glad if any correspondent could inform 
us the reason of Mr. W.’s secession from the proprietorship of a collection which 
reflected such credit on himself as an individual, and on Birmingham as a town.— 
Editor. 
How to drown a Fish.—A lthough the bare idea of drowning a fish may 
