102 REPORT OF NATIONAL ^lUSEUM, 1885. 



pilles and C. galerita) were presented by tbe Dime Museum of Wash- 

 ington. Among the specimens obtained by Dr. L. Stejneger In Bering 

 Island were sterna, portions of the skeleton, of specimens of the thick- 

 billed guillemot (Uria arra); the tufted puffin {Lunda cirrliata)-, the 

 horned grebe {Podiceps auritus}^ and other interesting marine species. 



PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COLLECTION. 



It is impossible at this time to give statistics of the osteological col- 

 lection. Some data regarding the mammals will be found in the report 

 of the Department of Mammals. A large number of birds, reptiles, 

 and fishes are still in storage, and the majority of those turned over to 

 the department have not been checked up in the register. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



A clerk is very much needed iu this department. The assistant is 

 obliged to devote the larger part of his time to the preparation of spec- 

 imens, while the clerk of the Department of Mammals, upon whom the 

 management of the registers, «S;c., has devolved, has more than enough 

 to do in connection with the department to which he is properly attached. 



