658 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [DeC, 



by Mr. S. N. Rhoads in Ecuador and prepared a report on them, 

 which has been published in the Proceedings. 



Birds. 



Additions to the exhibition series consist of several local specimens 

 received from the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, a group of 

 Swallow-tailed Kites from Texas, presented by Mr. George B. Benners, 

 and a group of Heath Hens from Marthas Vineyard, the gift of 

 Mr. Frederick H. Kennard, which have been recently mounted. 



A large series of beautifully mounted birds, mainly from Texas 

 and Pennsylvania, has been presented by Mr. Benners, which will 

 be substituted for less desirable specimens in the general exhibit just 

 as soon as cases can be secured for storing the duplicate material 

 that must be withdrawn from exhibition before this collection can 

 be rearranged. 



The renovation of the study collection has continued without 

 interruption. Mr. D. E. Culver, student on the Jessup Fund, has 

 proceeded with the relaxing of the old unmounted specimens and 

 has completed all of the Tanagridse, Icterida, Ploceidse, Dicruridse, 

 Oriolidse and Turdidse. The fronts of the trays have been painted 

 with white enamel and all the cases and trays have been relabelled 

 and lined with sheet cotton, from the Psittacidse to the beginning of 

 the Passeres. 



Dr. Stone has also rearranged the Pigeons and Birds of Prey and 

 has reidentified the entire collection of Humming-birds. 



The type specimens have likewise been relaxed and relabelled. A 

 number of specimens have been identified for the Zoological Society 

 and for correspondents, and a card catalogue of all new species of 

 birds described since 1911 has been compiled for use in the study room. 



A valuable series of bird skins from Santa Marta, Colombia, was 

 received by purchase and a small number from West Africa. 



Mr. Gregory M. Mathews spent two days at the Academy studying 

 the Gould types in connection with his great work on the birds of 

 Australia, and Prof. W. W. Cooke examined the collection for Texan 

 specimens. Many local students have al^o made use of the study 

 material, and specimens were loaned to Messrs. E. W. Nelson, Frank 

 M. Chapman, Harry C. Oberholser and Dr. E. A. Mearns. 



Reptiles and Batrachians. 



Mr. Henry W. Fowler has looked after this department during 

 the year and has identified and prepared for preservation all the new 



