REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF BIRDS. 166 



Deeded for the larger birds, and an equal Dumber of quarter anil eases 

 for smaller specimens. 



Additions to the exhibition Mrto.— The exhibition series being intended 

 tor tin- 1 >ui i )o>r of popular instruction, it is therefore obvious thai a judi- 

 cious select ion of the objects to be exhibited is highly desirable. No end 

 rved i>.\ the presentation of manj Bpecies of one family of birds, 

 or a la rue Dumber which appeal in do way to the interest of tin* general 

 public. Apart from the North American collection, which, in the in 



terest of students, should be made complete as possible, (lie exhibit ion 

 Collection should consist of birds remarkable for beauty of plumage or 



peculiarities of structure, or interesting from their association with 

 literature or history , or from then economic value. During a recent in- 

 spection of the American Museum of Natural History in New York 

 City, the curator made a list of more than KM) species of foreign birds 



which constitute the chief attraction of that superb museum, all of 



which are wanting to the mitiomil collection. There are also required 

 for the purposes <>f scientific research many forms which can be ob- 

 tained onlj b\ purchase, the want of which has greatly impeded the 



scientific work of those who have made the collections of the National 



.Museum the basis of their scientific investigations. It, is earnest 1\ 

 recommended, therefore, thai these species (a list which the cuniior 



hopes shortly to present) be purchased as soon as the finances of the 



Museum w ill allow. 



Ornithological library. — Not less pressing than the acquisition of 

 Special desiderata in the wav of specimens is the need of a better 

 working library for the Department of* Birds. There are many books, 

 some of which are in almost every public library of importance in the 

 country, and even in not a few private libraries — but not in that of 

 the National Museum or of Congress — which are indispensable to the 

 working ornithologist. These should be supplied at as early a date as 

 possible. 



Additional assistants. — The work of the department has increased 

 so rapid 1 J within the last few years, that with his present force the 

 curator cannot keep abreast of his duties as they accumulate and at 

 the same time carry on the improvements in the condition of the col- 

 lection which are accessary to its preservation and utility. Two addi- 

 tional aids are Deeded, both of whom should be persons who would 

 have a lively interest iii their work, one to act as messenger and general 

 assistant, the other to perform neces>ar\ clerical duties. 



