112 Notes and News. [f^n 



In addition to several new 'habitat groups' completed during the year, a 

 large group of Paradise Birds has been installed, numbering about 80 

 species, and including nearly all of the most remarkable and striking forms 

 of the family, the material for this large and exceedingly beautiful group 

 having been contributed by Mrs. Florence L. Sturgiss of New York. The 

 research collection of birds now numbers about 70,000 specimens; the 

 exhibition collection about 10,000, exclusive of over a hundred bird groups, 

 about one fourth of which are large 'habitat' groups, a notice of which 

 was recently published in this journal (Auk, April, 1909, pp. 165-174, 

 pll. i-iv). In addition to the above material, belonging to the Museum, 

 Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., has been provided with storage for his private collec- 

 tion of bird skins, numbering about 25,000 specimens, which are now con- 

 veniently accessible for purposes of research. 



The decease of Mr. Charles K. Worthen, who was suddenly stricken last 

 May (see Auk, 1909, p. 332) marks the passing of the last of the large dealers 

 in North American mammal and bird skins, bird's eggs and other scientific 

 material. Beginning business in 1873, he became known at home and 

 abroad where many of his specimens are now to be found in both public 

 and private collections. In the settlement of his estate, his large stock of 

 bird-skins, some 7000 in mmiber, was purchased by Dr. Jonathan Dwight, 

 Jr., and Mr. J. H. Fleming, for their private collections. No less than 

 700 species and races of the North American list are represented, many 

 of them rare and in large series. Among noteworthy species may be men- 

 tioned the Carolina Paroquet, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, the White, 

 the Snowy and the Reddish Egrets, the Wood Duck, the White Gyrfalcon, 

 the Swallow-tailed, the Mississippi and the Everglade Kites, the Yellow and 

 the Black Rails — all represented by large series of specimens, while 

 rarities in greater or less abundance may be found among the Gulls, 

 Petrels, Geese, Owls, Turkeys, and the smaller land birds. 



A last Attempt to Locate and Save from Extinction the Passenger Pigeon. 

 — Through the interest and generosity of Col. Anthony R. Kuser, I am able 

 to offer the following award. 



Three hundred dollars (.$300.) for information of a nesting pair of Wild 

 Passenger Pigeons (Ectopistes migratorius), undisturbed. 



Before this award will be paid such information must be furnished (ex- 

 clusively and confidentially), as will enable a committee of expert orni- 

 thologists to visit the nest and confirm the finding. If the nest and parent 

 birds are found undisturbed, the award will be promptly paid. 



[Signed] C. Williajm Beebe. 



Until January 1, 1911, during Mr. Beebe's absence from America, all 

 information concerning the existence of Passenger Pigeons should be sent 

 to C. F. Hodge, Clark University, Worcester, Mass. 



In making this offer Col. Kuser withdraws his former offer of one hundred 

 dollars (-IIOO.OO) for a freshly killed Wild Pigeon. He does this because of 

 the great danger of complete extermination. 



