DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY. 115 



Aves. — Considerable progress has been made with the re- 

 mounting of the British Birds for the pier-cases in the 

 Pavilion, and among the series in the General Gallery 

 progress has also been made. 



Descriptive printed labels have been placed in all the cases 

 containing the nesting series of British Birds, and framed 

 tablets showing the classification adopted, have been placed 

 at intervals in the Gallery. 



Progress has been made with the Osteological Collection, 

 and a large number of eggs of species included in Volume V. 

 have been incorporated. 



The arrangement and cataloguing of the skeletons of 

 the TTacheophone Pctsseres, Ptevoiotochidoe, Conopophagidoe 

 For7)iicariidce, and Dendrocolaptidce have been proceeded 

 with. 



The collection of birds in spirits has also been overhauled, 

 but cannot be properly arranged until better accommodation 

 has been provided. 



A case illustrative of the parasitic habit in birds has been 

 installed in the North Hall, near by the one containing eggs 

 of the Common Cuckoo. In the same neighbourhood have 

 been placed photographs illustrating the manner in which 

 young Cuckoos eject the rightful occupants of the nest they 

 usurp ; and also a label describing the nesting habits of 

 Cuckoos. 



Reptilia and BatracJda. — The Exhibition Cases in the 

 Reptile Gallery are all now provisionally arranged, but much 

 remains to be done in the matter of filling up gaps. The 

 most important work that has been done during the year 

 is the painting of the mounted specimens of Monitor and 

 other Lizards and Snakes to imitate, so far as possible, their 

 colouring during life. This work, which is far from being 

 complete, has been done entirely by a member of the staff 

 of the Museum. 



The work of renewing the spirit in the bottles has been 

 continued. The incorporation of accessions has been pro- 

 ceeded with as far as possible. The removal of the Bactrachians 

 to the new cases provided has been commenced. 



The numerous additions to the Collection have been named 

 and incorporated as soon as received. 



Pisces. — Much progress has been made in the Southern 

 half of the Fish Gallery, and it is now re-opened to the 

 public. The preparation of the specimens and their re- 

 arrangement in the cases are nearly completed, and temporary 

 labels have been introduced into six of the ten wall cases. 

 The Northern half of the Gallery has been partitioned off, 

 since this part will not be ready for the admission of the 

 public for some time longer. 



Mollusca. — The interesting collection of Moll usca obtained 

 by the " Discovery "' in the Antarctic Region has been worked 

 124. I 



