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The NaturePlus Forums will be offline from mid August 2018. The content has been saved and it will always be possible to see and refer to archived posts, but not to post new items. This decision has been made in light of technical problems with the forum, which cannot be fixed or upgraded.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the very great success of the forums and to the community spirit there. We plan to create new community features and services in the future so please watch this space for developments in this area. In the meantime if you have any questions then please email:

Fossil enquiries: esid@nhm.ac.uk
Life Sciences & Mineralogy enquiries: bug@nhm.ac.uk
Commercial enquiries: ias1@nhm.ac.uk

Library & Archives

2 Posts tagged with the library_faqs tag
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The Conjuror's bird and the NHM Library connection
The Conjuror's Bird (2005) written by Martin Davies is a novel set both in the 18th-century and the present day. The book was researched here at the NHM Library and mixes both fact and fiction.
It follows Joseph Banks and his un-named mistress, and the hunt for a missing bird specimen originally given to Banks.

The book refers to the NHM Library because the only remaining evidence for the lost bird, Turdus ulietensis or Bay Thrush, is a painting by (Johann) Georg Adam Forster (1754-1794) made during Captain James Cook's second voyage (1772-75). Georg accompanied his father (Johann) Reinhold Forster (1729–98) on the voyage as his assistant. His father was the Naturalist on board and Georg drew from his descriptions.

This painting is held in our Zoological collections (Forster plate no. 143/ original plate no. 146) and is available to view via the NHM Picture Library.

The novel refers to the modern-day characters coming to visit the Library in order to view the plate and look at some Banks biographies (page 75).
Davies also includes some notes about the actual painting and missing bird specimen on pages 307-308.

Angela Thresher, Information Assistant

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Yes and nothing!

 

We are open 10.00 to 16.30 Monday to Friday. You will need to make an appointment and let us know what you want to look at. This is because we are a reference library, so our staff collect your items and they are waiting for you on arrival.

 

First of all check out our catalogue to see if we’ve got what you want. Then send an email letting us know what you want to see and when you want to come. On your first visit we will ask for photo ID and proof of address, you fill in a form and that’s it.

 

For more information on all of this and how to find us visit our website.