424 Recent Ornithological Publications. 



library of this Academy, and of its collections in all departments, 

 but especially in mineralogy, palaeontology, conchology, Crus- 

 tacea, ichthyology, and ornithology. 



" The very extensive and comprehensive series now presented, 

 with the comparatively small collection previously owned by the 

 Academy, comprise one of the most complete ornithological 

 museums extant. It is, in fact, one of the four great collections 

 of birds in the world, and, so far as can be ascertained from 

 published catalogues, is fairly entitled to be considered as pre- 

 senting faciHties for study in this favourite branch of natural 

 history equal to those of any other institution. 



" Mainly, the collection of Dr. Wilson was based on that of 

 General Massena, Duke of Rivoli, and his son, M.Victor Massena, 

 Prince d'Essling, which was regarded as the finest private col- 

 lection in Europe. This was acquired by purchase in 1846, and 

 brought to this country. Various other valuable and more or 

 less extensive collections have been added since that period, in- 

 eluding Mr. Gould's Australian birds, which are the types of his 

 great work, 'The Birds of Australia,' and embracing all the 

 species then known, except five only. Another important col- 

 lection, mainly Parrots, Humming-birds, and Tanagers, was 

 that of M. Bourcier, a distinguished French ornithologist ; and 

 quite equally so was a collection made in the interior countries 

 of India by Capt. Boys, of the East India Company's service. 

 Very important, too, are collections from the Leyden Museum, 

 through the influence of the eminent naturalists now or lately 

 attached to that great institution, particularly the celebrated 

 Temminck ; and many others obtained in Europe through the 

 faithful and judicious exertions of Mr. Edward Wilson for the 

 interests of this Academy. 



" Numerous other smaller additions have been made, when- 

 ever opportunity presented, in this country, by Dr. Wilson, and 

 also have been derived from European naturalists by exchange 

 and purchase, to the extent of several thousand specimens. 

 Messrs. Verreaux, the well-known commercial naturalists and 

 ornithologists of Paris, have been of exceeding service ; and but 

 little less so has been Mr. John G . Bell of New York, the prin- 

 cipal commercial naturalist in this country, whose high interest 



