REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914, 1138 
and separate bones of mammals, birds, and reptiles to the number of 
577. Mr. C. E. Mirguet renovated the okapi skeleton for exhibition 
and was employed in much other preparatorial work, including the 
making of a cast of a gorilla skull for the division of physical 
anthropology. Mr. William Palmer was mainly occupied with the 
arrangement of the faunal exhibit of the District of Columbia, the 
exhibition series of insects, and the synoptic series, though he was 
called upon for much special work in other directions. 
Exhibition collections—Two additional alcoves assigned to topical 
exhibits were opened to the public. They are devoted to the “ archi- 
tecture” of mammals and birds, and the eggs of birds. Most con- 
spicuous is a large central floor case in which is displayed the enor- 
mous nest of the wood rat with its inhabitants, while models and 
illustrations of the burrows of other mammals and of birds are shown 
in cases against the wall. The birds’ eggs are mainly arranged in 
three table-top cases. ; 
No mammal groups were constructed, but several specimens 
mounted separately were added to the series. Foremost among these 
was the reticulated giraffe, a fine example, which, being placed along- 
side the common form, gives excellent opportunity for observing the 
differences between the two. Other large species installed were the 
giant eland and the greater koodoo from Africa and the fallow deer 
from Europe. Many small mammals other than North American 
were also introduced in various faunas, which have hitherto been 
very deficient in this respect. The enlarged models of bats’ heads, 
referred to in the last report, were finally completed and placed on 
exhibition. 
The only large group added during the year represents a family of 
African ostriches near its nest. It occupies a case of the same size as 
that of the lion group, is placed near the outer end of the main hall 
between the African mammals and the bird series, and consists of a 
pair of adult birds in fine plumage with five chicks. Remnants of 
the eggs from which the chicks have just emerged and a couple of 
unhatched eggs are lying on the ground in and near the nest. This 
forms a very attractive exhibit, is much the finest bird group in the 
Museum, and is on a par with the best of the mammal groups. It 
was designed and built by Mr. James L. Clark, of New York, who 
also mounted the old birds, the young ones being prepared by Mr. 
Nelson R. Wood of the Museum staff. The material was from the 
Smithsonian African Expedition. Another bird group placed on 
exhibition in the African fauna represents the hoatzin. It was con- 
structed for and displayed at the St. Louis exposition of 1904, but re- 
mained in storage until recently when it was taken out, completely 
rebuilt, and greatly improved by Mr. William Palmer. The ex- 
hibit is highly interesting in showing the nestling hoatzins climbing 
71159°—nat mus 1914——8 
