EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT. 59 



The following is a full statement of the bird collections on 

 hand on December 31st, 1903: 



Order. Species. Specimens. 



Ratitae, Ostrich and Cassowary .... 2 3 



Longipennes, Gulls, Terns, etc 4 50 



Steganopodes, Pelicans, etc 5 25 



Anseres, Ducks, Geese, etc 34 240 



Odontoglossae, Flamingoes 2 3 



Herodiones, Herons, Egrets, etc 14 71 



Limicolae, Shore Birds 1 I 



Paludicolae, Cranes, Rails, etc 8 17 



Gallinae, Upland Game Birds 21 116 



Columbae, Pigeons and Doves 5 5 



Raptores, Hawks, Eagles and Owls. . 19 57 



Psittaci. Parrots, Macaws, etc 20 28 



Passeres, Perching Birds 40 90 



13 Orders 175 706 



Received by gift 81 



Purchased 228 



Exchanged 6 



Received on deposit 2 



Collected 93 



Hatched 136 



DEPARTMENT OF REPTILES. 



Among the important additions to the Reptile collection during 

 the past year were two large specimens of the South American 

 bushmaster (Lachcsis mutus), representing the largest known 

 species of poisonous serpent; an anaconda, measuring fourteen 

 feet in length ; three specimens of the Boa constrictor; two speci- 

 mens of the Boa diviniloqna; a large Indian rat snake, and two 

 particularly fine specimens of the spectacled cobra (Naja tripu- 

 dians). The cobras are strongly marked by the characteristic 

 colors of their species. By their fierce demeanor, and hoods ex- 

 panded for the slightest provocation, they attract much attention. 

 These specimens were captured in the vicinity of Calcutta, and 

 were presented by Mr. Thomas H. Barbour. 



During the early summer, one of the Sumatran cobras evinced 

 a cannibalistic appetite by swallowing one of its cage-mates. 

 Promptly upon the discovery of the incident, the distorted snake 



