

CLASSIFICATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND 

 LIFE HISTORY STUDIES 



The Bird and Mammal Laboratories of tlie 

 Bureau, in the Natural History Building of the 

 U.S. National Museum, conduct extensive research 

 on the geographical variations of wild birds and 

 mammals and provide a wide range of services 

 to the general public concerning the fauna of the 

 continent. Other major responsibilities involve 



studies of marine mammals, preparing and main- 

 taining the very large study collections of bird 

 and mammal specimens, providing assistance in 

 identification to cooperatore and scientists in 

 America and in foreign lands, and contributing 

 much in the way of extension education to persons 

 interested in wildlife. 



Exact identification of mammals and birds is essential to meaningful study of the Nation's fauna. A carefully detailed 

 description of each correctly identified animal is obviously necessary if the work is to be used with accuracy and 

 full confidence by other?. ( Photos by Rex G. Schmidt) 



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