408 Notes and News. [^^^^ 



Mr. W. W. Brown, Jr., has been sent on an expedition to Central Amer- 

 ica, mainly in the interest of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at 

 Harvard College, the expedition to be known as 'The John E. Thayer 

 Expedition of 1904-1905.' Mr. Brown, already so well known for his 

 excellent work in tropical America for the Messrs. O. and E. A. Bangs, 

 will make collections in all departments of natural history, as circum- 

 stances may favor, but will give special attention to vertebrates, and pri- 

 maril}' to birds and mammals. With the exception of a portion of the 

 birds, the material will all be presented to the Museum of Comparative 

 Zoology, and will form the basis of a series of papers to be published in 

 its ' Bulletin.' Mr. Brown started for his new field of labor in February, 

 going first to the Pearl Islands in the Bay of Panama, which are great 

 breeding resorts for various sea birds. He has thus far been very suc- 

 cessful, having already sent to Cambridge ten large cases as the result of 

 his work at the Pearl Islands. 



Such munificence in the interest of science is worthy of the highest 

 recognition, and it is to be hoped that Mr. Thayer's excellent example 

 will be frequently emulated by other men amply provided with means for 

 the promotion of scientific investigation, but who too often fail to appre- 

 ciate the opportunities thus offered for not only advancing science but for 

 raising an enviable and long-enduring monument to themselves. 



Friends of the American Museum of Natural History having gener- 

 ously provided means for the construction of additional groups of char- 

 acteristic North American birds, a number of such groups are now under 

 construction at the Museum or have recently been installed, the latter 

 including three California groups, representing the "^^ellow-billed Mag- 

 pie, the newly described Sierra Dusky Grouse, and the California Part- 

 ridge. A large California group is under way, which will later call for 

 detailed mention. In order to secure groups representing species now 

 rapidly approaching extinction, Mr. Chapman was sent to Florida early 

 in March last to secure, if possible, materials for Carolina Paroquet and 

 Ivory-billed Woodpecker groups. Although a few birds were found no 

 nests were discovered, and the attempt to secure satisfactory materials 

 for these groups proved a failure. From Florida Mr. Chapman went to 

 the Bahamas in search of Flamingoes, and after some discouraging expe- 

 riences succeeded in locating the rookeries ; and the latest reports from 

 him indicate that he has been successful in secvn-ing the necessary mate- 

 rial for a fine group of these beautiful birds. 



In this connection it may be stated that during the past year the ornith- 

 ological collection at the American Museum has been increased by the 

 addition, by purchase and through Museum expeditions, of about 13,000 

 birds, including the well-known Sennett Collection, which for many years 

 has, through deposit, formed a part of the Museum's resources. Recently 

 Dr. Dwight has transferred his collection, numbering about 8000 speci- 

 mens, to the Museum for storage and use, thus still further increasing the 

 ornithological resources of the Museum. 



