ZOOLOGY 



In field work during the past year the chief concern of the zoologist 

 has been the collection and preparation of fresh-water fishes to 

 augment the exhibit series of mounted specimens in the State 

 Museum. Several hundred individuals representing about seventy 

 species were taken from central and eastern New York waters, 

 and given preliminary treatment in the field. 



The use of seines, nets and traps in the various waters for col- 

 lection of desired specimens represents only a small part of the 

 work involved. To aid in the restoration of color and correct 

 proportions, sketches and plaster molds were made and these, 

 with the skinned and salted specimens, were packed and shipped 

 to the preparator. The mounting and painting. of the skins has 

 been in charge of Mr Francis West of Falmouth, Mass., whose 

 skill in this line of work has produced specimens remarkably life- 

 like in character. Four new wall cases have been installed to 

 accommodate the growing collection and the entire exhibit series 

 has been rearranged. 



A group designed to show the winter activities of the short- 

 eared owl, a beneficial species protected by state law, was installed 

 in Zoology Hall and attracted considerable interest because of the 

 wintering of a large flock of these birds within the limits of the city 

 of Albany. 



The collection, classification and description of New York spiders 

 has continued as opportunity permitted but the ultimate completion 

 of the undertaking will be delayed until the services of an artist 

 trained in araneid anatomy can be secured. In addition to de- 

 scriptions and keys to families, genera and species, it is proposed to 

 figure the structures of importance in classification, particularly 

 the epigyna of the females and the palpal organs of the males. 



A revision of the family Pisauridae, a group comprising some of 

 the largest of our true spiders, has been brought to completion 

 following a study of materials belonging to the American Museum, 

 New York, the National Museum at Washington, the Museum of 

 Comparative Zoology and the extensive collections of Cornell 

 University. Other institutions and individuals have also furnished 

 valuable specimens and data bearing on the problem of distribution. 



In June 192 1 the State Museum received notice of the discovery 

 of mastodon remains near Temple Hill, Orange county, where, 



[50] 



