Summary
Letter on single sheet of paper folded into four, written (presumably) by ornithologist John Cotton to his brother circa 1834-1848. It begins ' The principle peculiarity in Australian Zoology is the total absence of large quadrupeds, and the paucity of the smaller birds...' The inside folds contain two sketches of mammals, described as a flying 'opossum' and a rat; the back illustrates the beak and foot of a 'very curious duck'. The letter includes descriptions of native animals eaten by local Aborigines.
From an archive of writings by and about ornithologist John Cotton. The archive includes his diary, manuscripts and sketches, as well as transcriptions and later research notes. John Cotton's writings are likely to have come to Museum Victoria in the early 1970s during research by Allan McEvey, then Curator of Birds at Museum Victoria.
Physical Description
Single sheet of paper, folded in half. Extensive writing and four sketches, now very browned. Paper corners and edges torn and folded.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Migration & Cultural Diversity, Home & Community, Science & Measurement
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Museum Victoria Archives, Feb 2012
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Author
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Date Used
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1970-1990
Approximate dates of research notes -
Inscriptions
Extensive text, Begins 'My Dear brother...'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions - Folded
209 mm (Width), 347 mm (Height)
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Framed
848 mm (Width), 648 mm (Height)
Art of Science, 2 items framed together: HT 30760.1 & 30760.2
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Maximum dimensions
413 mm (Width), 341 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation. Page at double spread
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Minimum dimensions
207 mm (Width), 341 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation. Paper folded as single page
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Keywords
Birds, Scientific Research, Indigenous Cultures, Correspondence
