Fonds consists mainly of bird notes and observations from 1880 to 1953, as well as correspondence, W.E. Saunders’ Bird skins catalogue, oological data, and collection slips- see SC91.
The bird notes and observation are organized in a few different ways; some volumes are daily journals where W.E. Saunders recorded his field notes, and some are organized alphabetically by species and contain detailed notes on the species as well as clippings from journal articles.
The rest are bird lists that record information on weather, departure and arrival patterns, and daily observations. Saunders also prepared an index for his journals which lists the species of birds and other species mentioned in his journals and where entries on each species can be found in his notes.
The correspondence in this fonds can be dated between 1882 and 1949 and has been organized into 7 groups; miscellaneous notes and correspondence, correspondence with contemporaries, with his wife, from his daughter and brother-in-law, family correspondence, a letter from Harriet Sprague, and letters from W.E. Saunders.
The rest of the collection consists of Saunders’ bird skins collection catalogue, and several volumes covering his oological collection. The oological volumes are organized by species and they list the number of eggs collected, who collected them and where, the condition of the nests, and the date they were found. In addition, this fonds contains 7 watercolour paintings of flowers by Harry S. Saunders.
Saunders, W. E. (William Edwin)