Series consists of two original draft manuscripts written by Thomas McIlwraith. The first manuscript is for the "Birds of Ontario" [n.d.], which is a concise account of every species of bird known to have been found in Ontario, along with a description of the nests and eggs. The second manuscript is the "Birds Observed in the Vicinity of Hamilton" [1860].
The fonds consists of two original draft manuscripts written by Thomas McIlwraith, the "Birds of Ontario" and the "Birds Observed in the Vicinity of Hamilton," as well as business postcards from Thomas McIlwraith's merchant coal business.