SIXTH REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I9O9 55 



The large group of black bear mentioned in my last report has 

 been completed and the result makes a very effective exhibit. 

 Through the courtesy of Pres. William J. Milne it has been tem- 

 porarily placed in one of the new buildings of the State Normal 

 College and will remain dn its present quarters until the completion 

 of the Education Building gives it a permanent home. 



A group of moose has also been obtained consisting of a bull, 

 a cow and a yearling. This is at present in storage as we have no 

 place suitable for exhibiting it. 



The taxidermist has prepared a habitat group of mink showing 

 the animals by a pool of water in the foreground, the background 

 representing an Adirondack scene which was painted by Mr D. C. 

 Lithgow. 



A group of sunfish and perch, of the same type, is also ready. 

 This exhibits the fish swimming in the water among pond lily 

 stems and weeds. The pond lilies themselves are shown on the 

 surface of the water. This is the only fish group in which a suc- 

 cessful attempt has been made to show both the surface of the 

 water and a section through it. The exhibition of these groups 

 has been delayed awaiting the procuring of cases, but they should 

 be ready for public display by the beginning of the year. 



The museum has also secured the necessary material for groups 

 of porcupine, black rats, white-footed mice and several birds ; 

 while groups of wolf, puma, fisher and Canada lynx are in course 

 of preparation. 



The museum has been particularly fortunate in securing from Mr 

 Austin Corbin, president of the Blue Mountain Forest Association, 

 the promise of the material necessary for making up a group of 

 buffalo, which has already been redeemed in part by the gift of 

 two specimens from his herd. This opportunity is taken of publicly 

 expressing an appreciation of Mr Corbin's kindness and generosity 

 in this matter. 



The ornithological collection which is in far better and more 

 complete condition than the other zoological sections, has been 

 allowed to remain except for such specimens as were kindly fur- 

 nished by friends of the museum. 



The taxidermist has also been working upon wax casts of some 

 of the' batrachians, two of which are now on exhibition, namely, 

 one of the spring peeper and one of the common wood frog. This 

 method of exhibiting these soft bodied animals seems as satisfac- 

 tory as any yet devised and the Zoologist hopes to have a series 

 of these casts completed during the coming year. 



