ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, &C. OP THE BRITISH MUSEUM. I7 



themselves. The remaining Specimens are preserved in boxes or cases in the basement 

 story. 



All the Specimens are in a good state of preservation. 



Tile arranged series of the Stuffed Birds in tlie Ornithological Galleiy presents con- 

 ditions of instructiveness superior to that of the Mammalian Series, in the ratio of the space 

 allotted 10 them. 



Of the Order Raptores, all the families and most of the genera are represented by 

 characteristic and well-prepared Specimens. The aim of exhibiting the changes of plumage, 

 and the varieties due to locality and other causes, has been partially carried out. The 

 instructive results of such series are shown in the Cinereous Sea Eagle {Haliaetos albicilld), 

 in the Tawny Eagle (Aquila nrr-vioides), and in the crested Indian Eagle (Spizaetus cirratus)^ 

 in which latter bird three nominal species, founded on solitary specimens, are shown by 

 the present series to merge into one another, without definite hnes of demarcation. In the 

 important problem of the nature of species, as at present defined in Zoological Catalogues, 

 the value of such series can scarcely be overrated. In no class of animals is space for 

 display of varieties a more essential condition of the philosophic progress of Zoology than in 

 the Class of Birds. The series of Stuffed Specimens of the nocturnal Raptores has now 

 reached that extent which compels an overcrowded arrangement in the space to which 

 they are at present necessarily restricted. A skeleton of a type specimen of one of each 

 of the wider divisions of the Raptorial order is exhibited therewith, but there is no space 

 for a corresponding series of nests. 



In the portion of the Ornithological Gallery allotted to the Insessorial Order, about 

 one half of the specimens of that extensive and diversified group now in the Museum can 

 be exhibited. The beautiful Family of Kingiishers (J./ferfom'</<«) is well shown. Much is 

 still needed for a truly natural and authentic display of the rare and singular Birds of 

 Paradise. A selection from the rarest and most remarkable species of Hornbill {Buceros), 

 now in the Museum, has been made for exhibition. The Toucans form a rich and' 

 instructive series, including the type specimens described and figured in Gould's classicaF 

 monograph on that Family. 



In the Family of Curassows and Guans the true definition of species particularly requires 

 illustrative series of varieties. At present the species can be represented by only one or two 

 specimens, and the limits of space have compelled an encroachment of the Cracidce upon 

 the compartment appropriated to the conterminous Phasianidce. 



No European Collection affords so complete an illustration of the Struthious Order of 

 Birds as the British Museum. All the known Genera and Species, with the varieties of the 

 immature and adult plumage, and iheeggs, of most, may now be studied in the compartment 

 allotted to this restiicted Group of short-winged Terrestrial Birds. The skeleton of an 

 Ostrich has been added ; it exemplifies the modification of the brenst-bone and scapular 

 arch, associated with the abrogation of the power of flight. 



In the order of web-footed birds (Natalores) as in that of the Raptores, space has been 

 assigned to a few exemplifications of the instructive varieties of plumage to which one and 

 the same species of bird may be subject : e. g,, in the variegated Goose of New Zealand 

 {Casarca variegata), and in the Ruddy Goose of Greece and Asia (Casarca rutila). The 

 singular plumage of the young bird is exhibited in several species of the present order. 



In the separate collection of British Birds in the third compartment of the Northern 

 Zoological Gallery, the varieties of plumage, the newly excluded young, the eggs and the 

 nests, are exhibited to the extent to which the space allotted to that series permits. 



In the accession of specimens of the class Aves — received from the North Australian expe- 

 dition, the very rare Malurtis coroitatus and Psephotus chrijsoptcrygius are worthy of note; 

 the latter species is one of the most beautiful of the Parrot tribe, and had, heretofore, been 

 only doubtfully known through a drawing by Ferdinand Bauer, made during " Flinders' " 

 voyage to Austraha. 1 



Class Reptilia. — A large proportion of this class is preserved in spirits, and the specimens 

 are arranged in the basement vaults assigned to the Osteology and wet-preparations. The 

 small proportion of the specimens which are dried and stuffed are arranged and displayed 

 in the first and second compartments of the Northern Zoological Gallery. Both these 

 classes of specimens, together with the Osteological Specimens of Reptilia, are in a good 

 state of preservation. 



In regard to the condition of the collection of Reptilia for public instruction, the present 

 exhibition-space allows only the dried specimens to be systematically displayed. The orders- 

 of the class are thus illustrated ; and, in the Chelonia, Crocodilia, and Balrachia, most of 

 the subordinate groups are represented. Several of the singularly modified skeletons of the 

 class are also here exhibited. The eggs of certain Crocodiles and Turtles are shown with 

 the specimens. Among the rarer specimens of Suuria may be noticed the alleged poisonous 

 Lizards of Mexico {Heloderma horridum), and the large Lace-Lizard of Australia (ffijdro- 

 saurus gigariteus). The collection has been recently enriched with a fine specimen of the 

 Lepidosiren annectens, from the river Gambia, which forms so remarkable a link between, 

 the classes of Reptilia and Pisces, 



Class Pisces. — The Fishes, like the Reptiles, consist of skins stuffed, or dried flat ; of 

 specimens in spirits, and of Osteological specimens. All these classes of specimens are in a 

 good state of preservation, and the prepared skins are well adapted for the study and com- 

 parison of all the specific characters, save those derived from colour, which are very evanes- 

 cent in the present class. 



219. C The 



