154 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1884. 



evil be remedied at as early a date as practicable by the construc- 

 tion of new cases or the repair and modification of those now in use. 

 The National Museum possesses material, in the form of beautifully 

 mounted specimens and unmounted skins, from which in a short time 

 could be built a collection for popular instruction far superior to any in 

 America, and for beauty and utility, if not in extent, unsurpassed by 

 any in Europe. 



Labels for the exhibition collection. — Next to the evil discussed above 

 is the absence of suitable labels for the specimens in the exhibition 

 series. All are provided with the usual Museum label, upon which is 

 recorded in full the data pertaining to each. But these labels, even 

 when not fastened beneath the stands, are of no use to the public. 

 The latter require a label upon which they may find in conspicuous 

 typography the name of the bird before them (particularly its English 

 name, if the species have one) and other similar facts. To meet this 

 requirement a form of label has been invented by the curator upon which 

 is printed, first, in large, heavy-face type, the English name of the 

 species; second, in smaller type, the various popular or local names 

 by which it is known ; third, in medium heavy -face type, the scientific 

 name ; and, fourth, a condensed statement of the range or habitat. 

 In the case of species having notable characteristics or of special eco- 

 nomic importance, the facts are briefly but concisely mentioned. The 

 copy for labels for all the species of North American birds is completed, 

 ready for the printer, as is also that for a large number of exotic species, 

 and I would earnestly recommend that these be printed as soon as 

 practicable. (See sample label exhibited on page 151 of this report.) 



Transfer of mounted specimens to new stands. — Most of the larger birds 

 in the mounted collection have been transferred to new walnut stands 

 of the adopted model; but there still remains a considerable number, 

 and much the greater part of the smaller specimens, which are yet on 

 the old stands or on rough ones improvised for temporary use by the 

 taxidermist. A sufficient number of new stands is on hand for the 

 specimens which are yet to be transferred, and I would respectfully 

 recommend that the completion of the work be assigned to some com- 

 petent person, under the direction and supervision of the curator. 



Taxidermist's laboratory. — The laboratory of the taxidermist is at 

 present in need of many repairs and fixtures for facilitating the work 

 of mounting birds for the exhibition series. Wall-cases with sash-doors 

 and shelves are needed, as are also other improvements which it is un- 

 necessary to specify here. 



Additional storage room for specimens. — The bulk of the collection of 

 birds has increased to such an extent that the cabinets thus far pro- 

 vided are crowded to the utmost limit of their capacity, and specimens 

 accumulate so fast that the question of their accommodation is a serious 

 one. At least three more of the large " Salvin" cabinets are urgently 



