22 A NOTICE OF THE 



may be regarded as a fair representation of the extent of the 



collection. 



Genera. Species. Specimens. 



VULTURID^ (Vultures) 8 16 68 



STRIGIDJE (Owls) 13 92 374 



CAPRIMULGHLE (Goatsuckers) 17 73 261 



All the species of vultures hitherto described are in the cabi- 

 net. The . completeness of this family is remarkable, for the 

 reason that rapacious birds are captured with more difficulty than 

 those of other tribes. 



As may be easily conjectured, this cabinet is of very great 

 value to the student of ornithology. In many instances nume- 

 rous specimens are exhibited, to show the differences which arise 

 in the same species, from difference of sex, of age, and period 

 of plumage. Very many species are represented by the speci- 

 mens, some of which are unique, originally described, and made 

 known by distinguished ornithologists ; and thus, the collection 

 affords facilities for comparison, and verification of special in- 

 quiries, which no other possesses to an equal extent. In many 

 instances the common English name is added to the label ; but 

 in very many cases birds have been named for the first time, and 

 introduced to notice by naturalists, and, therefore, possess no other 

 than the classic or systematic appellation originally given to 

 them. 



Oology. In connection with the ornithological cabinet is a 

 collection of birds' eggs and nests, exhibited in the shallow cases, 

 which are suspended on the railing of the lowest or flying gal- 

 lery of the principal hail. 



Dr. S. W. Woodhouse, Dr. A. L. Heerman, Dr. Geo. C. Leib, 

 Mr. Samuel Ashmead, and Professor S. F. Baird, of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, have contributed largely to the cabinet of 

 birds' eggs and nests. In September, 1850, Dr. T. B. Wilson 

 presented an extensive collection made in Paris, by M. 0. Des 

 Murs, at considerable cost, through a very long period of time. 

 It contains 3,449 specimens, of 1,281 species and 10 nests. The 

 Sme gentleman presented Mr. Gould's collection of eggs of 

 Australian birds ; it comprises 976 specimens of 303 species, and 

 33 nests. The aggregate number of specimens of these two col- 



