Field Notes 197 



appeared near Fairbury, Jefferson County, making their head- 

 quarters about a slaughter house and refuse dump two miles from 

 town, and were still there on' November 12, on the authority of 

 Mrs. H. F. Hole of Fairbury. No doubt there are other records 

 from other localities in southeastern Nebraska that have not come 

 to our attention, but the above is sufficient to indicate a movement 

 of magpies into southeastern Nebraska greater than has taken 

 place for at least the past twenty-five years, during the present 

 fall. — Myron H. Swenk and Ralph W. Dawson, Lincoln, Nebraska. 



BIRD COLLECTIONS OF THE MILWAUKEE MUSEUM 



Many bird lovers and ornithologists of the middle west are 

 perhaps unaware that the Public Museum of the city of Milwau- 

 kee has one of the finest exhibition collections of birds to be seen 

 in this country. 



The excellence of the Taxidermy and attractive installation, 

 particularly of the North American collection, is largely due to 

 the efforts of Mr. George Shrosbree, for twenty-two years Chief 

 Taxidermist of the institution. All specimens in the systematic 

 collections are on limbs, twigs, artifi.cial rockwork, etc., attached 

 directly to the backs of cases, doing away with the unsightly 

 rows of polished stands and bases. 



The North American systematic collection contains about 1370 

 specimens, representing 720 species and sub-species. Over forty 

 small groups of "Wisconsin birds with nestlings are shown and 

 two especially attractive large groups. A unique feature of the 

 collection is the large number of very young, unfledged nestlings 

 shown. There are a number of other birds groups, both foreign 

 and North American. The foreign systematic collection contains 

 about 1300 mounted specimens. 



" Milwaukee Region " collections containing 210 species of birds 

 that regularly visit the locality, is especially interesting to local 

 students. A bird's position in the case indicates whether it is 

 north of, south of, or in the area, the specimens being changed 

 frequently during the migrations. 



The oologist will be delighted with the fine R. F. Goss collec- 

 tion of North American bird eggs containing, among many other 

 rarities, the eggs of the Trumpeter Swan. 



A beautifully prepared Pigeon Exhibit shows thirty-four of the 

 more striking domestic breeds and the Rock Pigeon from which 

 they were derived. Bird skeletons, a synoptic collection, and the 

 study skins are there for those who desire to use them. 



Plans have been made for, and considerable preliminary work 

 already done on a series of large North American bird groups to 

 be constructed in the near future. 



Milwaukee, Wis. Herbert L. Stoddard. 



