While contemplating why a Victorian gentlemen would donate a stuffed trumpeter swan to the local museum in 1894, I went looking for an image of a stuffed trumpeter swan, and found this photo of a Victorian diorama…

(courtesy of Taxidermy UK, who, by they way, are always interested in purchasing Victorian taxidermy, if you happen to have an appropriately old stuffed something kicking around.)

Apparently dioramas became a feature of museums in the Victorian era. It was also the golden age of taxidermy. Not only were the Victorians fond of keeping small stuffed birds and animals in the parlour, arranged as naturally as possible–well, except for   anthropomorphic Victorian whimseys –and often under glass, but any museum worth its salt had extensive displays of  mounted birds and mammals.

When I go to a museum these days, it’s human history I’m focused on. I’d forgotten how fascinated I was with natural history displays as a kid, and I’d never even thought about why every museum had some kind of natural history display.

Now that donated stuffed swan is making sense.  And it was probably a trumpeter swan because they winter here. In fact, Stanley Park has several pair that can be found in Lost Lagoon year-round. I’m going walking there tomorrow;  if I find trumpeter swans, I’ll post a photo.