yEw York :::,tate Museux. 19 



Cabinet do not contain records of localities for animals, except 

 when the occurrence of a species in a certain locality was con- 

 sidered remarkable. The reports give evidence that the specimen 

 of Numenius arquatiis was believed to be the common Long- 

 billed Curlew (Numenius longirostris) known to occur more or 

 less plentifully within the state, so that the locality in which the 

 specimen was taken was not thought worthy of remark. 



The writing on the label is apparently very old, and is in the 

 hand of the late John Gebhard, who was curator of the State 

 Cabinet at the time the bird was received. Mr. Gebhard was in 

 the employ of the institution at the time of his death in 1887, in 

 the capacity of guide ; and was believed to be familiar with the 

 history of most of the zoological specimens. About ten years 

 ago the birds and their labels were marked with corresponding 

 numbers. The work was done by Mr. Martin Sheehy, who is 

 still in the employ of the Museum, and at a time when Mr. 

 Gebhard was connected with the institution. On account of the 

 position which he held — that of guide — Mr. Gebhard's eyes 

 were upon the collection almost every day. Under such circum- 

 stances it is hardly possible that there could have been any con- 

 fusion of labels without attracting his attention. — Wm B. 

 Marshall, JSTew York State Museum, Albany, E". Y. 



The above notes were read at the last Congress of the American 

 Ornithologists' Union, JS'ovember, 1891, and the specimen in 

 question was also exhibited. The identity of the specimen being 

 beyond question, the only other point to be decided is, whether 

 the claim that it was taken in JS'orth America is well founded. 

 In addition to the facts submitted above by Mr. Marshall, he 

 also found in the Comptroller- s office in Albany, a bill made by 

 James A. Hurst, dated June 8, 1853, for certain specimens of 

 mammals, birds, etc., among which is this item, " Long-billed 

 Curlue, male, very fine, $5.00." Mr. Hurst who sold this speci- 

 men to the State Museum was in the employ of the State Cabinet 

 at the date of the bill and for many years afterAvard in the 

 capacity of taxidermist. It is evident neither Mr. Gebhard, the 

 curator, nor Mr. Hurst, the taxidermist, were aware that the 

 specimen added to the collection at the time was the European 

 Curlew, as they labelled it " Long-billed Curlew." If they had 

 been acquainted with its identity, it is fair to assume they would 

 have labelled it correctly, from the greater interest that would 



