This Little Auk was found dead in Southgate Street, Winchester, on 27 November 2024 by a ‘scavenger’ or street sweeper.
It was preserved by William Chalkley (1842 – 1922), a taxidermist based in The Square, Winchester, who presented the bird to Francis E Blagg in September 1917.
Chalkley’s shop, The Sports Depot, sold fishing tackle and sports equipment and William preserved fish and exotic animals brought in by local sportsmen.
Over the years William Chalkley prepared and displayed a collection of Hampshire Birds which were purchased by Winchester College.
