DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 101 



hands before now. It is hoped it may be ready for distribution during 

 the coming winter. 



The head of the department as well as Assistant Professor Conger and 

 Instructor Stack have given occasional talks or addresses before several 

 associations and schools during the year and the usual amount of cor- 

 respondence has been carried on in the way of extending the knowledge 

 of natural history to the farmers and citizens in general. The depart- 

 ment cooperates with the State Game and Fisli Warden, identifying 

 mutilated and doubtful specimens of supposed noxious animals sub- 

 mitted for bounties, and exchanging information as to the habits and 

 distribution of animals, both native and introduced. 



Probably it is proper to mention here that for many years past tlie 

 head of the department has served as consulting Zoologist of the State 

 Geological and Biological Survey and as Secretary of the Non-Game 

 License Commission, which issues permits to those desiring to collect 

 specimens of non-game birds for scientific i)urposes. He is also the 

 Michigan member of the Bird Lore "Advisory Council," Bird Lore being 

 the bi-monthly journal of the National Association of Audubon So- 

 cieties whose members are privileged to consult members of the Advisory 

 Council in regard to any problems of bird life which present themselves. 



MUSEUM, 



There is little to record with regard to tlie museum and its work dur- 

 ing the past year. Its collections have been cared for in the usual way 

 and seem to have had an increased attraction, as shown by the large 

 number of visitors and the constant use made of its collection by the 

 students. Some unimportant changes in arrangement have been car- 

 ried out and considerable work in cataloging and arranging the ex- 

 tensive bird's-egg collection has been done. The employment of a com- 

 petent taxidermist, who might also serve as assistant curator, is one of 

 the great needs of the department and my suggestion that such an addi- 

 tion be made may now be considered perennial. 



Ilespectfully submitted, 



WALTER B. BARROWS. 

 Professor of Zoologj^ and Curator of tlie General Museum. 

 East Lansing, Mich., June 30,' 1920. 



