Vol. VI] EVERMANN— DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR 1916 245 



It is proposed to install in the two remaining large cases in 

 the Bird hall a White Pelican group and a Game Bird group 

 showing all the species of ducks, geese and other game birds 

 that winter in the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Paul J. Fair with 

 an assistant is now at the Los Bafios Gun Club in Merced 

 County collecting the birds for this group. The birds for the 

 White Pelican group will be gotten in the spring. 



In the Mammal hall provision has been made for 22 small 

 mammal groups to be placed at either end of the large groups. 

 The Bird hall has spaces for 12 similar small bird groups, two 

 of which have already been installed, leaving 10 to be supplied. 



It is hoped that provision may be made for securing as 

 rapidly as possible the mammals and birds required for these 

 small groups, and that a number of such groups be completed 

 within the year. 



Research Collections. — Attention is again called to the neces- 

 sity of giving greater encouragement to research work than has 

 been possible during the last few years. The reputation and 

 standing of the California Academy of Sciences as a scientific 

 institution will always be determined by the scientific workers 

 connected with it and the contributions they make to the litera- 

 ture of the physical and biological sciences. Field investiga- 

 tions and explorations and the building up of the Museum's 

 collections must be encouraged and provided for; and special- 

 ists and facilities must be provided for the study of the rich 

 collections which the Museum already possesses and those 

 which it may secure. 



