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specimens of over seven hundred species, most of them 

 American, and largely representing the bird fauna of tropical 

 America, and therefore of special interest to local ornitholo- 

 gists in this country, as affording them great facilities for the 

 examination of the rarer types, besides being of great import- 

 ance as a general collection. 



Many of the species were identified by M. Jules Yerreaux, 

 who also catalogued the entire collection, and who is doubt- 

 less the most conversant of living ornithologists with the 

 species of birds in general. 



The Curator would mention particularly the services of 

 Dr. J. C. White in rearranging the collection, who specially 

 deserves the thanks of the Society. 



The department of Oology remains in the same condition 

 as last year. There have been no additions. 



The collection comprises the eggs of two hundred and 

 thirty-five species of birds, exclusive of eggs not identified. 

 They have been rearranged by Mr. B. P. Mann, according to 

 Baird's Catalogue for the I^orth American species. 



The Curator of Herpetology reports that since the depart- 

 ment came under his charge, the Reptiles have been put into 

 a safe condition, until proper jars and alcohol shall be fur- 

 nished for the exhibition of the remainder of the collection. 



The additions to the department during the year number 

 sixty-nine, and have been received from the following gen- 

 tlemen : Drs. A. S. Packard, Jr., S. Kneeland, and C. F. Wins- 

 low, Messrs. S. Hinckley and Florence Andernach, D. White 

 and Capt. Barber. 



During nearly the whole year, one day per week has been 

 devoted by the Curator of Ichthyology to the collection un- 

 der his charge. The alcoholic specimens, with a very few 

 exceptions, are now catalogued ; each species and locality 

 being entered under a distinct number. A large portion of 

 the species have been identified. 



With the exception of labelling the few hundred speci- 

 mens on exhibition, little work can be done on the collection 

 until the much needed jars and alcohol are provided. 



