VIII 



REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM FOR 



THE YEAR 1915 



BY 



Barton Warren Evermann 

 Director of the Museum 



At the time of the last annual report of the Director of the 

 Museum (January 4, 1915), construction work on the new 

 Museum building had been stopped. The hope was expressed 

 that the difficulties with the contractors would soon be adjusted 

 and that the work might be resumed at an early date. This 

 hope was realized. A satisfactory adjustment was made and 

 building operations were resumed early in March. The work 

 proceeded with reasonable celerity and the research wing was 

 ready for occupancy the last week in August. During the last 

 days of August the offices and research collections were trans- 

 ferred from the temporary quarters at 343 Sansome Street 

 to the new Museum building. The Sansome Street quarters 

 were given up and the rent ceased August 31, 1915. 



Construction work on the three exhibition halls continued 

 with reasonable speed. The connecting corridor was com- 

 pleted early in September and the installation of the Fitzhugh- 

 Lowe collection of Indian baskets, pottery and stone imple- 

 ments was begun at once and completed in December. This 

 collection consists of a total of about 15,000 specimens, of 

 which practically all except duplicates have been placed on ex- 

 hibition. The space available for this exhibit has been com- 

 pletely utilized; indeed, the objects now on display are in 

 many cases too crowded lor the best effect. Considerable ad- 

 ditional space will be needed if the entire collection is to be 

 properly exhibited. 



The Academy is indebted to the public spiritedness and gen- 

 erosity of Hon. Wni. M. Fitzhugh for the opportunity to put 

 this splendid collection on exhibiton. 



The California Mammal IJall and the Bird Hall were com- 

 pleted in December and the installation of the habitat groups 

 was at once begun. Considerable progress has already been 

 made. 



