Keport of department of birds. 1.^)5 



rwedtMl tor the larger birds, and an oqnal Dumber of quarter-unit cases 

 for sirtallor sjjecimens. 



Additions to the exhibition series. — The exhibitiou series being iuteuded 

 tor the i)urpose of i)opidar instruction, it is therefore obvious that ajudi- 

 cious sch'ction ol" the objects to l)e exhibited is highly desirable. No entl 

 is served by- the presentation of many species of oue family of birds, 

 or a large number which apjieai in no way to the interest of the general 

 public. Aj)art from the Korth American eollection, whi(!h, in the in- 

 terest of students, should be nuide complete as ])ossible, the exhibition 

 collection should consist of birds remarkable for beauty of plumage or 

 l^eculiarities of structure, or interesting from their association with 

 literatureor history, or from their economic value. During a recent in- 

 spection of the American Museum of Natural History in New York 

 City, the curator made a list of more than 100 species of foreign birds 

 which constitute the chief attraction of that superb museum, all of 

 which are wanting to the national collection. There are also required 

 foi- the purposes of scientific research many forms which can be ob- 

 tained only by purchase, the want of which has greatly impeded the 

 scientitic work of those who have made the collections of the National 

 Museum the basis of their scientific investigations. It is earnestly 

 recommended, therefore, that these species (a list which the curator 

 hopes shortly to present) be purchased as soon as the finances of the 

 Museum will allow. 



Ornithological library. — Not less pressing than the acquisition of 

 special desiderata in the way of specimens is the need of a better 

 working library for the Department of Birds. There are many books, 

 some of which are in almost every i)ublic library of importance in the 

 country, and even in not a few private libraries — but not in that of 

 the National Museum or of Congress — which are indispensable to the 

 working ornithologist. These should be su])plied at as early a date as 

 possible. 



Additional a.ssistantj<. — The work of the department has increased 

 so rapidly within the last few years, that witli his present force the 

 (!urator cannot keep abreast of his duties as they accumulate and at 

 the same time carry on the improxements in the condition of the col- 

 lection which are necessary to its ))reservation and utility. Two addi- 

 tional aids are needed, both of whom shouhl be persons who would 

 have a lively interest in their work, one to act as messenger and general 

 assistant, the other to perform necessary clerical duties. 



