REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF OOLOGY 

 IN THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



By Charues E. Bendire, IT. S. Army (retired). Honorary Curator. 



I am pleased to be able to state that the collection is now in excellent 

 shape, easy of access, and reasonably safe from insects and vermin. 

 During the past year thirty new quarter unit zinc-lined and insect-proof 

 cases have been furnished for its accommodation, and the entire collec- 

 tion has been carefully overhauled, rearranged, and relabeled. The 

 majority of the specimens now on hand in the reserve collection are in 

 an excellent state of preservation, and as at present cared for will re- 

 main so. 



The exhibit of nests and eggs in the main hall of the Smithsonian 

 Institution conld now be materially increased, if more room was avail- 

 able for this purpose. 



The most important contributions to the collection during the year 

 are as follows: 



Dr. Win. L. Ralph, 26 Court street, Utica, X. Y., a magnificent collection, consist- 

 ing of 444 sets of eggs, representing 194 species and 1,630 specimens. Among 

 these are several species new to the collection: many others are very rare and 

 have been especial desiderata for years, and all are beautifully prepared. Ac- 

 companying these eggs are 100 nests, also in an excellent state of preservation. 

 This collection is by far the most valuable gift received since I have been in 

 charge of the department. 



Mr. B. MacFarlane, chief factor, Hudson Bay Company, Cumberland House, Sas- 

 katchewan, Canada, an interesting collection of 59 sets of eggs represented by 

 225 specimens and 30 nests. This donation is of considerable scientific value, as 

 it extends the breeding range of several species considerably to the northward. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. a valuable collection, consist- 

 ing of 40 sets. 113 specimens, and 17 nests, from thelk-ath Valley region in south- 

 ern California, Nevada, and Utah, and containing a number of rare specimens. 

 Interesting accessions have also been received as follows: 



Mr. Guy E. Mitchell, Washington, 1). C, a local collection, consisting of 59 sets and 

 230 specimens. 



Mr. Walter F.Webb, Geneva, X. V., 30 sets, numbering 137 specimens and 10 nests. 



Assist: Surg. Edgar A. Mearns, U. S. Army, Fort Snelling, Minn., 46 sets, number- 

 ing 177 specimens and 20 nests. 



V. S. Fish Commission (Washington, D. C), sets, 29 specimens, and 2 nests. 



Mr. Charles Littlejohn, Redwood City, (al., 21 sets, 42 Specimens, and 1 nest. 



Mr. H. P. Attwater, Rockport, Aransas County, Tex., 11 sets, 56 eggs, ami :; nests. 



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