368 Letters, Notes and Evtracts. 
exhibition consists of a typical scene of bird-like from some 
part of America, with a semicircular background of scenery 
very beautifully finished and copied from Nature, while the 
vegetation and other accessories in the foreground are 
carried out with great accuracy of detail. 
Among the scenes which I recall are the Brown Pelicans 
nesting ou Pelican Island in Florida, a representation 
of New Mexico with Cactus-Wrens, Thrashers, Road- 
runners, and other characteristic Desert-forms. There is 
also a Golden Eagle on its nest from the Rocky Mountains 
in Wyoming, while several other groups are in preparation. 
On the whole, though slightly theatrical, they are the most 
beautiful and perfect representation of Bird-hfe that I have 
ever seen. 
Another interesting exhibition is that of the commoner 
birds found within a short distance of New York. In the 
case of the migratory birds the specimens are changed every 
month, so that the visitor can easily identify the ordinary 
local birds. 
The skin-collection under Mr. Chapman’s charge is now 
growing very large; it is arranged in small, square, air-tight 
cases made of tin, mto which are fitted hght trays; as the 
cases are quite light and handy they can be readily shifted 
about, and it is easy to lay hands on any particular group 
or family for the purpose of study. 
I spent a day at Cambridge, where most of my time was 
occupied in visiting the Agassiz Museum of Comparative 
Zoology. Since I last saw the Museum—some twenty-three 
years ago—considerable additions have been made, while a 
great many improvements are being carried out im the 
matters of installation and the renewal of taded specimens 
by Mr. Samuel Henshaw, the Director. The general plan 
of a geographical arrangement remains the same, and sepa- 
rate rooms are devoted to each of the great Faunal divisions 
of the World. — 
The study-collections of Mammals and Birds are under the 
honorary Curatorship of Messrs. O. Bangs and Y. Brewster 
respectively. JI was unfortunate enough to miss both these 
gentlemen, but Mr. Henshaw shewed me the general arrange- 
