• 10 



" Mainly, the collection of Dr. Wilson was based on that of G-eneral 

 Massena, Duke of Rivoli, and his son, M. Victoi- Massena, Prince 

 D'Essling, which was regarded as the finest private collection in VjU- 

 rope. This was acquired by purchase in 1846, and brought to this 

 country. Various other valuable and more or less extensive collections 

 have been added since that period, including ^Ir. Gould's Australian 

 birds, which are the types of his great work, " The Birds of Austra- 

 lia." and embracing all the species then known, except five only. An- 

 other important collection, mainly Parrots. Humming Birds, and Tana- 

 gers, was that of M. Boureier. a distinguished French Ornithologist, 

 and quite equally so was a collection made in the interior countries of 

 India, by Capt. Boys, of the East India Company's service. Very 

 important, too. are the collections from the Leyden Museum, through 

 the influence of the eminent Naturalists now or lately attached to that 

 Institution, particularly the celebrated Temminck. and many others 

 obtained in Europe through the faithful and judicious exertions of 

 Mr. Edward Wilson for the interests of this Academy. 



■' Numerous other smaller additions have been made, whenever op- 

 portunity presented in this country, by Dr. Wilson, and also have been 

 derived from European Naturalists by exchange and purchase, to the 

 extent .of several thousand specimens. Messrs. Verreaux. the well- 

 known commercial naturalists and ornithologists of Paris, have been 

 of exceeding service, and but little less so has been Mr. John Gr. Bell. 

 of New York, the principal commercial naturalist in this country, whose 

 high interest in the prosperity of* the Academy and scientific know- 

 ledge, has never failed to be exerted and always has been of great 

 value to the extension of the Collection. .Mr. John Krider, Mr. Wm. 

 8. Wood and James Taylor, of this city, have also furnished to Dr. 

 Wilson many valuable specimens, and all of these gentlemen have in- 

 variably shown the utmost cheerfulness and liberality in their businety* 

 with the Museum of the Academy. 



" The collection of Dr. Wilson now presented has been derived from 

 the following sources, and includes specimens nearly as here enumerated : 



Rivoli Collection, first purchase 12.(i00 specimens. 



'* •' second purchase 2.500 " 



Mr. Gould's Australian Collection 2,000 •' 



M. Bourcier's Collection 1,000 



Capt. Boy's Collection 1,000 



Mr. Kihvai'd Wilson's Collection in Europe, including coilec- 



ti(^ns from tlie Leyden and Britisli Mu.seuias 4..tOO '' 



])i-. Thomas B. Wilson's Collections in Europe 1.000 " 



in United States l.jOO 



Total now presented to tiie Academy 2(),000 specimen.s. 



