What is his Occupation?

[BeeJayEss]

What is this Occupation please?

[devonliz]

I think it says
Drover&C
evidently a versatile labourer who could also drove animals - accompany a flock of sheep or geese at certain times of the year

[meekhcs]

I agree definitely something to do with Drover/Droving.

Perhaps the reference for the actual census page may help us to look further.

How does this idea compare with other census records for the person you are researching?

[BeeJayEss]

The census reference is Piece 2556 Folio 67 Page 62 - Patrick O'Brien.

In 1861 he is a Mason's labourer (at least I think this is the same chap). In 1864 he is a Butcher (Journeyman), this is definitely the same chap. In 1881 he is a Pork Butcher.

Thanks for any guidance.

[woodchal]

The marks between what is Drover and C at the end are very distinctive. A comparison with the rest of the page might indicate what this form of pen strokes resembles.

I would look for you, but you have not given us a lot to go on - DOB and place of birth might be a good start - the Piece/Folio/page doesn't help me find the image.

A little more information might help our willing community see if they can provide your requested guidance.

[avaline]

The marks between what is Drover and C at the end are very distinctive. A comparison with the rest of the page might indicate what this form of pen strokes resembles.

I would look for you, but you have not given us a lot to go on - DOB and place of birth might be a good start - the Piece/Folio/page doesn't help me find the image.

A little more information might help our willing community see if they can provide your requested guidance.

Its easily found from the information given - 1871 census Patrick O'Brien (or O'Brian) born c1826 Ireland, living at 44 Great George Street, Clifton, Bristol.

[Mick Loney]

the Piece/Folio/page doesn't help me find the image.

Findmypast certainly allows one to search using Piece/Folio/Page, I’m pretty sure the same goes for Ancestry if you look deep enough (try advanced search)

[Jacobs-Barnes]

Looking at the whole page it's an ampersand (&)

[AdrianBruce]

So, just to be clear, it's "et" (from "and") and "c" - i.e. "etc" - "etcetera". "Drover, etc."

Have I ever seen that way of writing "etc" before? Not sure...

[Thunder]

This way of writing etc is fairly common but its use in limited by what goes before it, so 'drover, etc' to define similar occupations to drover and may not appear in many online documents but the use of etc in this way does cut down on the words in a document where it might be repeated or that there is a lack of space. In the case of the parish of St Philip and St Jacob (it really should be SS Philip & Jacob to show that it was two saints, but I can't see the whole line) is fairly standard in documents.