Beyond the Laws of Nature After spending more than 80 years in the collection of London's, Natural history Museum, new evidence from within the Museums own records has been found to reveal that a rare bird of paradise is in fact a fake.

The bird, named 'the 4th Baron of Egerston', was previously believed to have been discovered in 1810 by ornithologist Sir Sebastian Lawes and hunter Maurice Egerston on a expedition to the Islands of New Guinea.

The bird was exposed as an impostor, way back in 1900 by the then American professor of ornithology Joseph Segar. From his report, submitted to London's Natural history Museum Prof Segars said: 'My suspicions about the bird were raised by its unlikely looking plumage and extraordinarily diverse range of features.'

He went on to state: 'I question the authenticity of the 4th Baron of Egerston, as a mammal of origin in the natural world. And strongly argue you to consider my study of the birds plumage and skeletal structure, that prove, beyond doubt its impossibility.'

Segar's made the discovery whilst working for New York's, Natural History Museum, were the bird was on loan at the time. Segar's and his team, found that the birds 'exquisite but unlikely' 18 plumed tail-piece and other parts could not have possibly come from one mammal, but was in fact a 'extraordinary stuffed hybrid' made up from 18 different birds and mammals from the islands of New Guinea.

The report went on to say: 'It seems Sir Sebastian Lawes and Maurice Egerston, are the Frankenstein creators rather than discoverers of the bird.' The motive for Lawes and Egerton is unclear, but Prof Sager believed Sir Lawe's motive for this creation was one of pressure from the King of England, 'In this period of history there was a great deal of pressure on explorers, to come back from voyages the king was paying for with ever more exotic and rare discoveries.' In the face of such a demand Lawes and Maurice conspired to deceive the king with their act of creation. Lawes received his knighthood, for his life's work in the field of natural history, including the discovery of 'the 4th Baron'.

How Prof Segar's evidence was allowed to be neglected for over 80 years and a fake specimen, able to be show by the museum is proving damaging to its reputation as one of the worlds foremost authorities on natural history.

In a statement, the museums, Director Gordon Claringbull had this to say: 'We are home to over 70 Million specimens of the natural world, in no way did the museum seek to ignore Professor Segars report or knowingly neglect the evidence it reveals.'

when asked what action will be taken now Claringbull said: 'We will have to reclassify the bird, but it will remain with us, in the collection for the time being.'

Strong calls have been made for a thorough review of museum record keeping and for an enquiry into other specimens submitted to the museum by Sir Lawes.

Shadow science minister, Terry Davis: 'An enquiry into all Sir Lawes work and other specimens form the period is needed to rebuild the reputation of the museums collection.'

The BBCs natural history presenter, Bill Oddie had this to said: 'Basic mistakes of this importance are rare in any area of natural history so for the museum at best, to not noticed this, is quite unbelievable, I am shocking. It means a substantial re writing of the history books and some serious questions should be asked about how these findings were allowed to be neglected for so long by so many.'

The Museum must now move quickly and decisively to silence its critics and rebuild its reputation as the worlds authority on natural history. An anxious wait now begins to find out if Sir Lawes has left more fake specimens for them to find.

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Date of article publication: 1972
Publication: Daily Mail
Author: Paul Bond, Science Correspondent