DEPARTMENT OF BIRDS. 



361 



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

 Mi. Osbert Salvin, of London, England, Count von Berlepscb, of 

 Miinden, Germany, and several other active workers, have been sent 

 many specimens to aid them in their studies of particular groups of 

 American birds. 



The present state of the collection is, so far as preservation of the 

 specimens is concerned, as nearly perfect as is possible under existing 

 circumstances, but a portion of the duplicate series and the mounted 

 collection is yet liable to the attacks of insects, an unfortunate con- 

 dition of affairs which it is not possible to prevent until suitable cabi- 

 nets are provided for the former and the cases containing the latter 

 made practically air-tight or dust-proof. So far as its arrangement is 

 concerned, the condition of the skin collection (which is several times 

 more extensive and valuable than the mounted collection) is extremely 

 unsatisfactory. Not only are all the cabinets so crowded as in many 

 cases to admit no additional specimens, but the general facilities for 

 storage and proper arrangement are so inadequate as to prevent easy 

 access to the specimens for study, and practically put a stop to the 

 making of exchauges or distribution of duplicates. Indeed, it may 

 truly be said that no other need of the department of birds can be 

 compared in importance or urgency with that of suitable cases for the 

 skin collection. 



The number of specimens in the bird collection at the end of June, 

 18S9, can be only approximately stated, but the following careful 

 estimate is believed to be very nearly correct. 



*An actual count of the exhibition collection since the above estimate was made shows a total of 

 6,714 specimens. 



The last entry in the catalogue in June 1888, is 113G59; in June, 

 1889, llGGIiO. 



