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The Museum of Comparative Oology.



been received, and will be considered shortly. The award will be

announced in the November issue.



REVIEW.


THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE OOLOGY.


We have received from Mr. W. Leon Dawson the double number

(Nos. 1 and 2, vol. i) of the Journal of the Museum of Comparative

Oology, Santa Barbara, California. The Museum is devoted to the

study of the birds of the world, with especial reference to their nests

and eggs. It is a pioneer museum ; nothing at all approaching it

exists anywhere else. In these difficult times it is encouraging and

inspiriting to learn that a good start has already been made, and the

first official publication breathes a spirit of science, energy, and hopeful¬

ness that makes us jmoud indeed of our American brothers, “ not

cousins,” as indeed Mr. Dawson says in his letter to us.


The Board of Visitors includes many names well known and

honoured on both sides of the Atlantic, such as Brooks, Bryant,

Chambers, Finley, Ridgway, and Shufeldt; an array of Fellows,

Patrons, Members, Patron Collectors, Field Members, Exchange

Collectors, Corresponding Members, and Authorized Collectors, marks

the thoroughness with which the well-wishers of the Museum have

been organized ; in the Journal we read of the building erected to

house the twenty thousand eggs already acquired, and of liberal, far-

reaching plans for the future. The illustrations are good, and give

an excellent idea of the Museum both internally and externally. The

ultimate intention is to provide some twenty-two buildings, fire and

earthquake proof, with top lighting and dry heating. There will be an

administration hall, a library, a lecture hall, and workrooms. Research

expeditions will ultimately be sent out to collect for the Museum.


At the present time the premises consist of a reception room

and an annexe, with a workroom. The cabinets consist of twenty-four

redwood cases, their space allotment being 473 drawers, all covered,

or intended to be covered, with glass. From the illustrations in the

Journal one can gather a faint idea of the riches of this Museum. The

“Roc” drawer contains a grand egg of the extinct giant Ostrich of



