20 A NOTICE OF THE 



Since the time when the ahove notice was written, the collection 

 of birds, which is exhibited in the principal hall of the Academy, 

 has grown to be the most extensive and the very best in the world. 

 Its progress is intimately blended with that of the Institution ; 

 its history may be properly related in this place. 



From 1837 until the commencement of the year 1846, about 

 550 specimens were added to this collection through the liberality 

 of Mr. John Cassin, Mr. S. F. Baird, Dr. George C. Leib, Dr. 

 A. L. Heerman, Mr. S. W. Woodhouse, Mr. John Morphett, Dr. 

 G. Watson, 'and others. In the year 1842, Professor Holbrook 

 presented 76 specimens, part of the collection of Mr. Ruppell; 

 and in February 1846, the late R. C. Taylor, Esq. presented a 

 collection of birds from Cuba. 



In September, 1846, Dr. T. B. Wilson deposited in the Academy 

 more than 12,000 specimens, a collection made in Paris, by the 

 Prince of Essling, Due de Rivoli, which Dr. Wilson purchased 

 through the agency of his brother Mr. Edward Wilson, a corre- 

 spondent of the Academy, resident in England. To accommodate 

 this large and magnificent collection, Dr. Wilson enlarged the 

 building to its present dimensions at his private expense ; and in 

 November, all the ornithological specimens belonging to the Insti- 

 tution were merged in it. The south-west basement-room was 

 completed, and the Society met in it for the first time, May 4, 

 1847. 



In the same month, Dr. Wilson purchased in England a col- 

 lection of Australian birds, made by the distinguished ornithologist 

 Mr. John Gould ; it consists of about 2,000 specimens, and com- 

 prises those from which the drawings were made for his splendid 

 work, " The Birds of Australia." This addition induced Dr. 

 Wilson, with the ready assent of the Academy, to prepare the 

 lecture-room in the basement, which had been rarely needed, for 

 the reception of a part of the Museum. 



During the same year the Academy received about 1,000 speci- 

 mens, which constituted the fine collection of parrots, and coni- 

 rostral birds, made by M. Boucier, an ornithologist, of the city 

 of Lyons. 



Subsequently, a collection of birds of Western America, made 

 by Dr. Wm. Gambel; and another of birds of Western Africa, 

 made by Mr. John Cassin, during a period of about fifteen 

 years, were added by Dr. Wilson. Mr. Edward Harris presented 



