REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1925 53 



family of four, all collected in the Canadian Kockies. The mount- 

 ing was done by W. L. Brown and his assistants, guided by notes 

 and photographs taken in the field by Doctor and Mrs. "Walcott, 

 whose direction and criticism as the work progressed was of the 

 greatest assistance in making the group artistic and true to nature. 

 The geologists of the Museum staff were also helpful with sug- 

 gestions and criticism in the fashioning of the rockwork accessories 

 of the group. 



Two other notable additions to the exhibition series of mammals, 

 likewise substitution of modern, well-mounted specimens for old, 

 or poorly executed mounts, were a vicuna from South America, and 

 a wart hog from Africa. The installation in the case containing the 

 African hogs was rearranged with great improvement in the exhibit. 

 Other work, not quite completed at the end of the fiscal year, in- 

 cludes a group of dik-dik, a diminutive African antelope, no larger 

 than a small dog. Several additions were made to the series of 

 smaller mammals and birds, the latter especially in the separate 

 exhibit of the fauna of the District of Columbia. 



The work of caring for and recording the study series in the 

 various divisions has been attended to in the usual manner.. 



In the division of mammals two unit, six half -unit, and six quar- 

 ter-unit cases were added for the arrangement of the skin collection. 

 The marsupial collection is now properly arranged for ready con- 

 sultation. A number of the larger skins were given more space, 

 and about 50 cases containing rodent and other small skins were 

 rearranged. Additional storage cases will be needed, as the collec- 

 tion is still in an overcrowded condition. The arrangement of the 

 small and medium-sized skulls in the office rooms is complete at this 

 time. Work has been continued on the large skulls stored in the 

 attic and whale room, this greatly improving their arrangement. Six 

 quarter-unit cases have been added for the continued rearrangement 

 of skeletons in the attic. New material has been added in the 

 alcoholic collection, which is in good condition. The taxidermists 

 have prepared during the year 89 specimens as study skins and have 

 tanned 120 skins, bringing this work up to date, except for work 

 required to be done by outside tanners on contract. All of the 

 tanning this year has been done by the taxidermists. The rotary 

 drum installed for this purpose has been turning out very good re- 

 sults, in so far as small skins are concerned. Contract work on small 

 and medium-sized skulls and skeletons has resulted in the cleaning 

 of 988 skulls and 62 skeletons. This work is in a satisfactory con- 

 dition, with only a very few uncleaned skulls at present on hand. 



In the division of birds four half -unit cases were received during 

 the year, to accommodate in part increase in the collections. Three 

 half-unit cases containing ducks and two quarter-unit cases of 



