REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1921. 57 



back upon the past history of our own institution, is it not clear that 

 the high achievement we have attained and the splendid position we 

 have reached are due in a great measure to the surveys and explora- 

 tions which have emanated from here, and the researches and studies 

 of our men based on the material collected? The reputation of the 

 Smithsonian Institution and its child, the National Museum, it is 

 no exaggeration to say is largely based upon just that kind of work. 

 To live up to that reputation, to keep from sliding down from this 

 enviable position, it will be necessary to find means for future ex- 

 plorations maturely planned and energetically carried out. 



At the end of the year, only one of the previous more ambitious 

 expeditions is still in the field, namely, that of Mr. C. M. Hoy, in 

 Australia, financed by Dr. W. L. Abbott. During the past year his 

 reports in part relate to collections made at the following localities : 



Farina, S. A. : Work in tlie Farina district was done at Lindhurst, 30 miles 

 east of the town of Farina. Nineteen days were spent liere, resulting in the 

 collection of 110 birds and 64 mammals. A few reptiles and insects were also 

 collected. 



Kangaroo Island, S. A.: Twenty-six days were spent, in the field, on Kan- 

 garoo Island, with the result of 85 mammals, 51 birds, and miscellaneous rep- 

 tiles, amphibians, and marine specimens collected. 



Port Lincoln (Eyres Peninsula), S. A.: Twenty-two days were spent in the 

 field resulting in the collection of 86 birds and but 15 mammals. A few miscel- 

 laneous specimens, including reptiles, Crustacea, etc., were also obtained. 



Busselton, W. A. (50 miles south) : Camp was pitched 50 miles south of the 

 town of Busselton, on the edge of the Government timber reserve. Forty days 

 were spent in camp. The weather was the worst that I have experienced. 

 During the while 40 days there were only 3 days free from rain. Over 18 

 inches fell in that time. It was impossible to keep things dry, and even the 

 tent fly went green with mold. Despite these handicaps, however, a pretty fair 

 collection was obtained. The collection contains 94 mammals, 46 birds, and a 

 few miscellaneous alcoholic specimens (reptiles and land shells). 



Derby, W. A. (82 miles southeast) : Twenty-three days were spent in the 

 above locality, August 7-29. The locality visited was very poor in both mammal 

 and bird life, and a collection of only 43 mammals, 68 birds, and 10 reptiles 

 secured. 



Port Darwin, X. T. (100 miles south) : Forty-four days were spent, in the 

 field, in the Northern Territory of Australia. An area of country 30 miles in 

 extent, running south by west from Brocks Creek to the Douglas River, was 

 worked. On this trip 114 mamals, representing about 15 species, 106 birds, 

 and 17 miscellaneous reptiles and amphibians, etc., were obtained. 



Ebor District, N. S. W. (52 miles east of Armidale) : Two camps were 

 pitched, one near the highest point on the northern N. S. W. tableland, at an 

 elevation of 5,000 feet and one a thousand feet lower. It was at the first camp 

 that the most successful work was done. Forty-four days were spent in camp 

 (Jan. 18-Feb. 27) and some very interesting results were obtained; 141 mam- 

 mals, 34 birds, and 19 miscellaneous reptiles, land shells, etc., were collected. 

 The weather was very much against me, as heavy, drizzling fogs and rain was 

 an almost everyday occurrence, and there were seldom two fine days at a 

 stretch. 



