REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 225 



31, 1883. An approximately correct estimate of the number of speci- 

 mens in the several series gives the following result : 



Specimens. 



In reserve skin series 28, 24G 



On exliibitiou G, 000 



Duplicates 13, 000 



Total 47, 246 



Desiderata. 



Since the publication of the " List of species of Middle and South 

 American birds not continued in the United States National Museum," 

 in December, 1881,* more than 200 species of Neotropical birds have 

 been added to the collection, by far the larger number of additions 

 being the direct result of the judicious distribution of the list iu ques- 

 tion. The greater number of these additional species have been fur- 

 nished by Messrs. Salviu & Godinan in England, and Count von Ber- 

 lepsch in Germany; but Mr. George N. Lawrence, of New York City, 

 has contributed several. We have already the promise of nearly the 

 same number of species still remaining on our list of desiderata from 

 the gentlemen named above. The great utility of these lists is therefore 

 apparent, and I would suggest, as the best means of still further reducing 

 the number of desiderata of the Museum, that special lists of the most 

 desirable species of those counries of tropical America from which we 

 possess fewest species be drawn up ; these lists to be sent to the Gov- 

 ernments of those countries with a request for their assistance in obtain- 

 ing the species wanted. 



DEPARTMENT OF REPTILES. 



H. C. Yarrow, Honorarj^ curator. 



As iu previous years, the Museum, through the kind efforts of its 

 friends and collectors, has received many and valuable accessions to its 

 different series, amongst the most noteworthy of which are the follow- 

 ing: 



From Dr. Eobert W. Shufeldt, U. S. A., a large and interesting col- 

 lection from the Mississippi delta, embracing about 678 specimens of 

 about 30 species. While no new or especially rare forms have been 

 secured, it will be of great value in studying the reptilian fauna of the 

 region, and for purposes of exchange with other museums. 



Another interesting collection of 120 specimens, from the vicinity of 

 the Potomac River, was received from the late Mr. George Shoemaker, 

 a young naturalist, whose untimely demise must be greatly regretted 

 by all students of natural history who have had the good fortune to be 

 associated with his labors. 



Mr. Robert Ridgway, Curator of birds, has found time, notwithstand- 



* Proceedings United States National Museum, vol. m, pp. 165-203. 

 H. Mis. 09 15 



