DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 97 



As in former years our principal efforts have been towards a more com- 

 plete representation of the natural resources of our own State, — the 

 addition of good specimens of our own mammals, birds, reptiles and 

 fishes, as well as good examples of the invertebrate fauna of the State, — 

 its insects, shells, worms, etc. Among the more valuable specimens added 

 may be mentioned a fine specimen of muskallonge weighing 16 pounds 

 and a pike or juckerel weighing IS pounds, caught and presented by Mr. 

 and Mrs. Hugh Lyons of Lansing; a collection of about 50 specimens of 

 gold, silver and copper ores from some of the noted mines of California, 

 Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Colorado (purchased) ; and a good example 

 (mounted) of the great gray owl from St. Ignace, Mich. The latter 

 completes the list of Michigan owls, giving us at least one example of 

 every species known to inhabit the State. Another important addition to 

 the bird collection is a pair of mounted passenger pigeons, formerly be- 

 longing to the late Dr. E. C. Kedzie. This species appears to be on the 

 verge of extinction and the College is fortunate in having several fine 

 specimens. 



A good taxidermist was secured for the month of June, principally 

 in order to prepare a few specimens for photographing with the inten- 

 tion of thus obtaining a few good pictures for the bulletin on birds, and 

 advantage was taken of this opportunity to have some valuable but 

 poorly stuffed specimens relaxed and remounted. There is work enough 

 of this kind to keep an expert busy for several months, and we have on 

 hand also a considerable number of unmounted bird skins which should 

 be mounted to fill gaps in the collection. 



Respectfully, 



WALTER B. BARROWS, 



Professor of Zoology and Physiology 

 * and Curator of the General Museum. 



Agricultural College, Mich. 

 June 30, 1904. 



REPORT OF THE MICHIGAN WEATHER SERVICE. 



Tto the State Board of Agriculture: 



I beg to submit the following report of the Michigan Weather Service 

 for the year ending June 30, 1904 : 



The work during the past fiscal year has been carried forward on 

 lines similar to those of preceding years. The co-operation with the 

 U. S. Weather Bureau has continued. 



We have in operation a total number of 121 voluntary observation 

 stations, which with the eight regular Weather Bureau Station^, makes 

 a total of 129 places in Michigan at which meteorological records are 

 maintained. 



As a whole, the reports of voluntary observers have been very satisfac- 

 tory and have mostly been rendered promptly and regularly. The labor 

 of keeping these stations in operation is very great. The great desider- 

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