182 Et:POET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Bureau of Economic Ornithology in the 

 Department of Agriculture. 



For reasons given in the report of the osteological preparator, only 

 twenty-five specimens have been added during ihe> year to those pre- 

 viously on exhibition, but each one of these has filled some gap in the 

 exhibition series. 



Over one hundred and fifty specimens have been added to the study 

 series, and the work of labeling and properly arranging the entire study 

 series has progressed as steadily as possible with the force available. 



During the year a large and valuable collection of birds and embryos 

 of birds preserved in alcohol was transferred from the department of 

 birds. It contains much interesting material, and a card catalogue of 

 it, which is very much needed, will be undertaken at the earliest op- 

 portunity. 



Printed labels for the specimens on exhibition have been supplied as 

 fast as possible. 



