190



Dr. R. W. Shufeldt,



outlying suburbs, especially about thistle-becls, is the Goldfinch

(Carduelis elegans). Australia is paying dearly for the introduction

of foreign mammals, for many birds are destroyed by poisonous

baits laid for rabbits, or by the introduced fox, which is rapidly

spreading over Eastern Australia. Large numbers of birds, too,

perish during periods of drought, especially in Western New South

Wales.



MOUNTED BIRD-EXHIBITS OF THE UNITED

STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

AT WASHINGTON.


By R. W. Shufeldt, M.D., C.M.Z.S., etc.


Probably without exception, the ornithologists of the United

States possess but one opinion with respect to whom they consider

the best and most accomplished taxidermist of birds in this country.

Indeed, there is really no doubt on that point; for Mr. Nelson R.

Wood, taxidermist of the United States National Museum, is the

person in question. Mr. Wood has worked away in his rather

dismal and contracted little shop at the aforesaid institution for a

great many years. His patience, untiring industry, and studious

habits with respect to his profession—for he is truly an artist

taxidermist—are simply marvellous. He is now safely past the

sixty mark, with an accumulated experience in his art that carries

a long way toward making him a most valuable man and a great

acquisition to the working staff of the Museum. His studies,

indoors as well as in the open, have been largely given to the habits

of birds in Nature, their notes, and their attitudes under every

conceivable condition.


It is most remarkable to observe the perfection to which

Mr. Wood has brought his power to imitate the various notes of

a great many species of birds. In the woods and fields the wild

birds of all kinds respond immediately to his wonderful note and

call-imitation ; even a flock of Crows in flight, far, far overhead, will

descend to alight all about him in response to his faithful mimicry.


Whilst he is a past master in the art of mounting birds in



