1912.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 565 



conform in appearance with the skins, which renders them more 

 available for study and more easily cared for. 



Mr. Charles J. Pennock, who was appointed November 5, 1912, 

 as a voluntary special curator of the Oological collections, has 

 already begun the rearrangement of the material and has outlined 

 plans for its expansion. After the removal of the Entomological 

 Department from the bird floor of the Museum, where it had occu- 

 pied temporary quarters during the alterations, the exhibition cases 

 were carefully examined and much mounted material which had been 

 labelled and arranged for exhibit was systematically placed. Al- 

 though only one or two specimens of most species are now exhibited 

 and all types and most of the unique specimens have been withdrawn, 

 it will be necessary still further to reduce the exhibit, as it is much 

 overcrowded. 



The local co lection, established and increased from year to year 

 by the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, has been entirely re- 

 arranged, two large cases having been provided for the water birds 

 and birds of prey. Many specimens which it has been impossible 

 to exhibit previously have been mounted in groups with natural 

 accessories, while the series of birds presented by the late Francis W. 

 Rawle and others have been mounted with their respective nests, 

 thus completing many of the older groups. The appearance and 

 educational value of this collection has been thus greatly enhanced. 



In the time not occupied by his duties as Curator, in general 

 Museum work and in the arrangement of the bird collection, the 

 Conservator has identified the entire collection of 1,548 birds 

 obtained by Mr. S. N. Rhoads in Ecuador during 1911, which was 

 acquired by the Academy early in the year. He has also identified 

 the Venezuelan collection obtained by the Francis E. Bond expedition, 

 and prepared reports on both for publication. 



A careful study of the types of Gould's Australian birds has also 

 been made in connection with the problems encountered by Mr. 

 Gregory M. Mathews in the publication of his Birds of Australia. The 

 results of this work are likewise prepared for publication, as well as 

 the report on the Rapt ores of the Princeton Patagonian Expedition. 



During the year, in addition to the Ecuador collection above 

 referred to, the Academy has received an important gift of birds 

 of West Africa from Mr. G. L. Bates, of Cameroons, the first acces- 

 sion from this region since the famous Du Chaillu collections; 

 also numerous specimens for the local collection from the Delaware 

 Valley Ornithological* Club. 



