STATE ZOOLOGIST. Xlll 



ornithologists residing in different parts of the State have very gen- 

 erously offered me their assistance in the prosecution of the ornith- 

 ological Avork, and it will be a pleasure to properly credit all such 

 assistance in the final report. 



All acquisitions are properly recorded in the accession record of 

 the museum, the record containing the accession number, the original 

 number and all known data relating to each specimen, whether pur- 

 chased, collected or donated. 



The ornithological material is recorded in a special record. 

 A card catalogue of all this material is now being prepared, and when 

 completed will make the material readily accessible. Other collec- 

 tions, such as the collection of fishes and insects, will be similarly 

 recorded and catalogued. 



It would be unpardonable not to call attention to the cramped con- 

 dition of the zoological museum at this time. Some of the valuable 

 collections noted above were presented rather reluctantly on account 

 of the insecurity and insuificiency of the quarters. The insufficient 

 protection against fire and the lack of room for proper display of speci- 

 mens have diverted from us some most valuable material that is now 

 the property of museums in the East. Collectors, and particularly 

 specialists, will continue sending their best and rarest specimens to 

 other museums just as long as we do not offer a safe and adequate de- 

 pository. 



A zoological museum in good quarters and properly taken care of 

 soon acquires material of great general interest and incalculable 

 scientific value, — material that costs more in both time and money to 

 collect and prepare than any other, and that often can not be dupli- 

 cated at any price. It ought, therefore, be housed in the safest pos- 

 sible building. 



The zoological museum in Pillsbury Hall has, without any special 

 effort on the part of the curator, already acquired an amount of ma- 

 terial that simply cannot be properly displayed or arranged in the 

 present quarters. Hundreds of fine specimens are crowded into cup- 

 boards, drawers and boxes. In this condition the zoological museum 

 must be unsatisfactory to the visitors and discouraging to those in 

 charge of it and desirous of building it up. Moreover, our opportun- 

 ity to get representatives of those animals which are rapidly disap- 

 pearing from the State is slipping by. 



If the museum is ever to offer a true survey of what the animal 

 kingdom of the State is and was, adequate and safe quarters must be 

 provided very soon. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Henky F. Xachtrieb. 



