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REPORT ON THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS. 
By Wtci1aAmM BREWSTER. 
THE collection of Mammals and Birds is now practically, if not 
absolutely, free from insect pests, and, generally speaking, in excel- 
lent condition. A reduction in the number of bird skins, similar 
to that made last year with the mammal skins, has been begun, 
and already about two hundred damaged or superfluous specimens 
have been removed. At least twice as many more can be spared 
to advantage ; for the cases are overcrowded, and the cost of stor- 
ing poor material is usually largely in excess of its value, to say 
nothing of the positive injury which it often causes to good mate- 
rial, — as, for instance, when greasy or otherwise poorly prepared 
skins come in contact with spotless ones. 
The Museum is indebted to Mr. Agassiz for a score or more. 
of mounted mammals, supplied by Ward to fill gaps in the vari- 
ous faunal collections. Among them are the curious Golden Mole 
(Chrysochloris capensis), the Strand Mole-rat (Bathyergus mariti- 
mus), the African Buffalo ( Bubalus caffer), the Aard Wolf (Pro- 
teles lalandu), and the Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictus), from 
Africa; the Dugong (Halicore dugong), from Australia; the 
Kiang (Hquus kiang), from Thibet; and, of especial rarity and 
interest, a fine adult Sea Otter (Hnhydris lutris), from the Kurile 
Islands. 
The most important addition to the bird collection is that of one 
hundred and eighty-four skins presented by Mr. Frederick R. King 
of San Francisco. These are all North American, and the major- 
ity West Coast species, several of which are of considerable rarity. 
Without exception the specimens are in fine condition, and of 
unusual value, either for mounting or cabinet use. The Museum 
has also received from Mr. Agassiz a collection of thirteen small 
mammals and fifteen birds, taken in Orizaba, Mexico, by Pedro 
M. Toro. 
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