148 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



A very considerable part of the curator's time was employed in the 

 consideration of plans and details of execution for an exhibit of birds 

 at the World's Columbian Exposition. This matter was embarrassed 

 by many obstacles, the most serious of which was the extreme difficulty 

 experienced in securing competent skilled assistants. It was also 

 found very difficult — in some eases impossible — to obtain the necessary 

 material; and, owing to the novel character of the work undertaken, 

 much time was necessarily spent in experiment. Further time was lost 

 by illness of assistants; but, all these hindrances taken into considera- 

 tion, the progress of the work has been satisfactory, and unless the 

 value of the exhibit is impaired by material reduction of its extent, a 

 highly interesting and instructive collection will be produced. 



NOTES UPON THE MORE IMPORTANT ACCESSIONS RECEIVED DURING 



THE YEAR. 



The number of specimens entered in the Museum register of birds 

 during the year 1891-'92 is 5,008 (catalogue numbers 120753 to 126349, 

 inclusive, and 12II351 to 126361, inclusive), the more important acces- 

 sions being the following: 



Prom Dr. W. L. Abbott, Philadelphia, Pa.. :ii>2 specimens (number of species unde- 

 termined;, from Cashmir, India. (Gift.) 



From C. F. Adams, Champaign, 111.. 2 specimens of the American Flamingo (Phwui- 

 voplerus ruber), from the Galapagos Islands. ; Purchased for the World's Pair 

 exhibit.) 



From the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, id specimens (31 

 species), from Chapada, Matto (i rosso, Brazil. (7 species new to the collection, i 

 (Exchange. ) 



From F. B. Armstrong, Brownsville, Tex.. 2 specimens of Chachalaca (Ortalis vetitla 

 mceallii), from Texas. (Purchased for World's Fair exhibit.) 



From the Auckland Museum, Auckland, New Zealand, 58 specimens (37 species) of 

 New Zealand birds, many new to the collection. ( Exchange.) 



From the Australian Museum, Sydney. New South Wales, 137 specimens (90 species), 

 from Australia, most of the species new to the collection. (Exchange.) 



From Rollo H. Beck, Berryessa, Cal., 98 specimens (58 species), from California. 

 (Gift.) 



From E. Belding, Stockton, Cal., 1 specimen Blue Goose (('hen cwrulescens), from 

 California. (Gift.) 6 specimens (3 species), from California. (Gift.) 17 speci- 

 mens (11 species), chiefly from California. (Gift.) 



From Lieut. Harry G. Benson. F. S. Army, Sequoia Reservation, California, 3 speci- 

 mens Black-chinned Humming Bird ( Trochihis alexandri (.from California. (Gift.) 



From A. Boucard, London, England, (a) 11 specimens (11 species) birds of Para- 

 dise (purchased for World's Columbian Exposition); (1>) 12 specimens (10 

 species) parrots (purchased for the Museum); (c) 21 specimens (24 species) 

 humming birds (purchased for the World's Columbian Exposition); (d) 12 

 specimens (10 species) parrots (purchased, part for the Museum, part for World's 

 Fair group); (e) 3 specimens (same number of species) birds of Paradise, from 

 \ew Guinea (purchased for World's Fair exhibit). 



From Walter Brett, Lakeport, Cal., 2 specimens of Double-crested Cormorant (Pha- 

 lacrocorax dilopJins), from California. (Gift.) 



From H.H.and C. S. Brimley, Raleigh, N.C., 1 specimens ['■> species), from North 

 Carolina. (Purchased.) 



