38 REPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



porpoise^ Prodrlphinus longirvstris, obtained between Panama and the 

 Galapagos Islands, and several skins of the sea-lions inhabiting those 

 islands. During the year there were added to the collection of skins 

 192 specimens, and to the alcoholic series 35 specimens. The catalogue 

 of the department has been increased by 033 entries. 



A series representing all the existing families of mammals was pre- 

 pared for exhibition at the Cincinnati Exposition, and a descriptive 

 guide to the collection has been prepared for publication. 



Department of Birds. — Mr. Eobert Eidgway, Curator of this depart- 

 ment, states in his report that the re-arrangement, labeling, and gen- 

 eral improvement of the exhibition series has been actively contin- 

 ued. Nine special exhibits of birds and eggs have been completed. A 

 considerable portion of the time of the Curator has been devoted to 

 committee work in connection with the revision of the check-list of the 

 American Ornithologist's Union. Special investigations have also been 

 made by the Curator, on the genera Psittacula, Accipiter^Xiphocolaptes, 

 and Sclerurus. A large collection from Costa Eica has been studied, 

 and also the extensive collection made by the naturalists of the Fish 

 Commission steamer Albatross in Alaska and in various portions of 

 South America. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger has continued his work on 

 Jajianese ornithology. 



Dr. J. A. Allen, of New York City, Dr. P. L. Sclater and Mr. Osbert 

 Salviu, of London, England, Count von Berlepsch, of Miinden, Ger- 

 many, and several other active workers, have received material from the 

 Museum to aid them in their studies of particular groups of American 

 birds. 



In March Dr. Stejneger severed his relations with this department, 

 having been appointed Curator of the Department of Eeptiles and Ba- 

 trachians. 



The accessions of the year number 1,490 specimens, of which 990 have 

 been placed in the reserve series, 147 assigned to the duplicate series, 

 while 347 specimens have been added to the exhibition collection. 

 There are now 0,714 specimens on exhibition. Mr. Eidgway has made 

 special mention in his report of 47 of the more important accessions 

 received during the year. 



Section of Birds'' Eggs.— Ca>j)t. Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A., Hon. 

 Curator, has continued the classification and arrangement of the new 

 material, and has made considerable progress in re-labeling the reserve 

 series of eggs in accordance with the revised check-list of the American 

 Ornithologist's Union. He has also arranged a series of foreign eggs, of 

 which there are now 4,913 specimens. Six collections of more than usual 

 value have been received during the year. There are now more than 

 50,000 specimens in the collection. In the catalogue book 118 entries 

 have been made. 



Department of Reptiles and Batrachians. — Dr. H. C. Yarrow, U. S. 

 A., who for several years has been in charge of this department, 



