56 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



during both years was about e(iual. The largest accession was from 

 Dr. W. L. Ralph, Ttica, N. Y., who has long been regarded as one of 

 the most valued contributors to the Museum. This collection con- 

 sisted of 88 nests and 911 eggs, representing 206 species. Other 

 important contributions were received from the following: Dr. James 

 C. Merrill, United States Army, Fort Sherman, Idaho, 6 nests and 99 

 eggs, representing 12 species; Lieut. Wirt Eobiuson, United States 

 Army, Cambridge, Mass., 5 nests and 65 eggs, representing 14 species; 

 Unitid States Fish Commission steamer Albatross, through Mr. F. W. 

 True and D. W. Prentiss, jr., 35 specimens, representing 10 species; 

 Elmer J. Judd, Cando, N. Dak., 25 eggs, representing 3 species; 

 United States Department of Agriculture, 32 specimens, representing 

 8 species. Twenty-eight eggs and 6 nests were purchased from Mr. 

 H. P. Attwater, San Antonio, Tex. 



All of the material received has been properly catalogued and 

 labeled, and the exhibition and study series are in excellent condition. 

 It would be very desirable to increase the former if the necessary- 

 space were available. 



The honorary curator mentions the names of thirty-five persons 

 whose cooperation has resulted in enriching the collections. The 

 Department of Agriculture and the United States Fish Commission 

 have also made valuable contributions to the collections of this 

 department. 



The number of eggs received during the year was 1,729, and of nests 

 154. The last catalogue entry in June, 1895, was 27655, and in June, 

 1896, 28138. 



DEPARTMENT OF REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS. 



As stated in the last annual report, the curator of this department. 

 Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, was detailed in the s[)riug of 1895 to accom- 

 pany a Government exi)edition to Alaska and the adjacent islands for 

 the 5>urpose of studying the seal rookeries. Dr. Stejneger was absent 

 for a considerable portion of the fiscal year covered by the present 

 report, and in June, 1896, he again left for the north, having been 

 appointed by the President a member of a special commission, author- 

 ized by joint resolution of Congress, to investigate the condition of 

 the seal herds. For these reasons the regular operations of the 

 department of reptiles and batrachians have been considerably inter- 

 fered with. 



The number of specimens received and entered on the catalogue has 

 been smaller than during the preceding fiscal year, although this is 

 partially accounted for by the fact that the year last referred to was one 

 of unusual activity. The scientific value of the material is no less in 

 proportion than that attaching to the accessions of the previous year, 

 some very interesting collections having been received from South 

 America and Madagascar, as well as from various parts of the United 

 States. Eight specimens of a blind batrachian from an artesian well 



