The American Museum Journal 



Vol. IV 



AI'RIL, 1904. 



No. 



I HE Supplement accompanying this number of the 

 Journal consists of a Guide-Leaflet upon "Birds' 

 Xests and Eggs," which has been prepared by Mr. 

 Frank M. Chapman, Associate Curator of the De- 

 partment of Mammalogy and Ornithology. After 

 a general discussion of the subject, based largely upon the ma- 

 terial in the IMuseum which is exhibited in the form of groups, the 

 author gives a complete list of the birds known to breed within 

 fifty miles of New York City, with notes upon their nesting habits. 

 This guide-leaflet will be found of value to all students of birds 

 and bird-life, but it will be of especial use to persons interested 

 in local ornithology. 



THE HOUSE-LIFE OF THE CHUKCHEE OF SIBERLV. 



The ordinary Chukchee house consists of a large circular skin 

 tent, with a square inner room, also of skins, placed at the back 

 of the tent and opposite the entrance. In winter the inner room 

 forms the living-room and is carefully protected against the cold. 



Little furniture is used, the people sitting about on skins and 

 brush mats laid flat on the ground. Occasionally a table is seen, 

 which is simply a board raised two or three inches above the 

 ground. 



The most important articles in a Chukchee house are the 

 lamps. These are usually of clay or sandstone, hollowed out 

 with an adze. In the center is a bridge with a cleft reaching 

 nearly to the bottom. The lighting-material is blubber from 

 sea-animals or tallow tried out from reindeer-bones. The latter 

 is much preferred, as it burns with a clear, soft light and with 

 little smoke. Wicks are made of moss, thoroughly dried, and 

 spread in a thin layer across the front edge of the lamp. The 



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