1849.] '251 



It is perhaps unnecessary for me to again allude to the high scientific value of 

 these collections or to the excellent condition in which they have reached their 

 destination; I may state merely that all have fully answered the expectations of 

 the sentlemen of this Academy, and have afforded great instruction and gratifica- 

 tion to Zoologists and admirers of Natural History from all sections of our country- 

 I beg to add that the extensive collections formed in the cities of Europe, expressly 

 for this Society by Mr. Edward Wilson, at the instance of his brother, our esteemed 

 associate, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, have proved to be of especial interest. These 

 were intended to supply deficiencies in the already comprehensive collections just 

 named, an undertaking which appeared to me, I confess, very difficult at least, if not 

 hopeless, but Mr. Wilson's success has been most remarkable. I have frequently 

 alluded to his specimens in the papers which I have had the honor at various times 

 of submitting to the society; it is sufficient to say further, that in the coarse of 

 my examinations of species, when I have found, as has often been the case, a 

 specimen in an unusual stage of plumage, or some odd looking variety, serving the 

 most useful purpose of illustration, it was pretty certain to turn out to be one of 

 Mr. Wilson's collecting. To him we are also indebted for several undescribed 

 species, and a large number new to the collection. 



Our valued associate Mr. Edward Harris, has presented to the Academy, during 

 the past year, his entire collection. This was formed during the long period of 

 his connection with Mr. Audubon, and embraces many specimens of the various 

 species described by the latter gentleman, and of many other rare or little known 

 American species; in fact, never since the arrival of Dr, Townsend from the 

 Columbia river, in 1837, has a collection come into the possession of this Society 

 of a character so interesting to the student of North American Ornithology- 

 The peculiar character of Mr. Harris' collection will readily be perceived 

 when I state that it contains the original specimens of several of the species 

 described by Mr. Audubon, such as Quiscalus Breweri, Sturnella neglecta, Frin- 

 gilla Harrisii and Lincolnii, Alauda Spraguei, Embeiiza Bairdii, and Vireo Belli, 

 numerous specimens of Emberiza pallida and grammaca, Fringilla aurocapilla, 

 amcEua and Townsendii, Pica hudsonica and Nuttalii, Alauda rufa, Erythrospiza 

 frontalis, Sturnella hippocrepis, Pipilo oregona and arctica, Hirundo thalassina 

 Sialia arctica and occidentalis, Tyrannula Saya, Parus melanotis. Troglodytes 

 brevirostris and obsoletus, Vermivora To)maei, Lophoitix plumifera, Tetrao 

 obscurus aud phasianellus, and many others equally difficult to obtain. 



I must specially mention, however, a series of no less than 25 specimens of 

 the intricately allied species of Colaptes, which inhabit our Western territory, 

 referable to C. auratus, mexicanus, and Ayresii, which illustrates the judicious 

 manner in which Mr. Harris formed his collection, and is additional, though 

 unnecessary evidence of his excellent judgment in Ornithological science. 



The distinguished naturalist, Mr. J. J. Audubon, has presented the original 

 specimen of Caprimulgus Nuttalii, Aud., and Colaptes Ayresii, Aud., both of 

 which are valuable additions, and the former, as yet, an unique specimen of a very 

 remarkable species from California. 



A collection of Asiatic birds, and an extensive collection of nests and eggs, have 

 been presented by Professor Spencer F. Baird of Dickinson College. A collection 

 of nests and eggs being then about to be formed in connexion with our Ornitho- 

 logical collection, this donation was peculiarly acceptable, and evinces the con- 



