A volume containing a descriptive account of 'Fishes, Shell Fish & Insects', with an index, written apparently at Helion Bumpsted [sic], [Essex] in 1804-5. The first section (pp. 1-28) is headed ' The Natural History of Fishes', where in some cases the Welsh equivalents are given of the names of the species described. At the end of the volume, following p. 68, are notes 'from Mortimer's Treatise on Husbandry' [i.e. J. Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry]. [According to information received from Mr F. C. Newton, County Archivist, Essex Record Office, Chelmsford in letters dated 7 and 17 August 1970 the author of this manuscript was the Reverend Henry Rogers, curate of Helions Bumpstead at the time (see Venn Alumni Cantabrigienses, Part II, 1752-1900, Vol. V, p. 344).].

The series consists of personal letters to Condry, from Ray Perry and others, on subjects relating to wild plants, bird and animal life, identification of insects, birdwatching in Britain and abroad, ornithological records, fundraising efforts for a conservation project, publishing, appreciation of Condry's 'Country Diary' articles and his books, A Welsh Country Diary and Thoreau, life during the Second World War, personal news from friends, Condry's connnections with Birmingham and enclosures of occasional printed items. Correspondents include Ronald Lockley, Ray [Perry], Morrey Salmon, H[arold Wright], Irene (`Benjamin') Vaughan, R.S. Thomas and his wife Mildred Elsie Eldridge (Elsi). There is also a letter from Condry to his niece, Chris (Christine Demmar), enclosing a story about his pet jackdaw, 1971.

The series comprises a complete set of nature diaries which William Condry kept from his late teens, the only significant omission being a deliberate one, during the years of the Second World War. The earlier diaries are almost exclusively concerned with birds, noting the sightings, calls, nests, feeding and courtship habits, and identifying features, with occasional sketches. A gradual progression may be seen, from about 1949 onwards, as Condry developed his interest in other wildlife, and more particularly in plants, recording their habitats, individual sightings and identification, sometimes assisted by drawings. Species of birds, mammals, insects and plants are usually underlined for clarity. Accounts are given of daily events, meetings and places visited in connection with Condry's professional conservation duties and literary work. Several of the diaries contain charts of birds and butterflies recorded at Ynys-hir. Weather conditions are recorded throughout. Relevant enclosures are frequent. Some of the diaries have integral indexes, and it is evident from the other papers in the archive that the entries formed useful points of reference for the preparation of books and articles.