3© Report of the President 



A small instalment from the island of Trinidad has already 

 been received. 



Mr. W. B. Richardson has finished his work for the 

 Museum in Nicaragua, having sent us during the year 177 

 mammals and 753 birds. 



By far the most important and the best equipped expedi- 

 tion was sent into the Belgian Colony of the Congo under the 

 direction of Messrs. Herbert Lang and James Chapin, It is 

 the purpose of this expedition to make a biological survey of 

 the Congo, paying particular attention to the smaller and less 

 conspicuous animals. Owing to the very cordial relations 

 existing between the Museum and the Belgian officials, our 

 representatives have been able to secure unusual concessions, 

 and everything points to very successful results. Messrs. Lang 

 and Chapin entered the Congo in June, and on August 14 

 were at Stanleyville, whence they were about to journey 

 into the Upper Ituri district for an absence of six months. 



The entire expense of this expedition has been borne by 

 several friends of the Museum, as noted in the financial state- 

 ment, and the Belgian government contributed $1,329.13 

 toward the work. 



An event of the year was the opening of the west side of 

 the gallery of Habitat Bird Groups. This was signalized by a 

 reception to the patrons and bird lovers, which was followed by a 

 special reception to Members. Both of these were well attended. 



These groups show in a striking manner the home life of 

 typical North American birds in their natural surroundings, 

 and their preparation has been made possible through the 

 generous contributions of the subscribers to the North Ameri- 

 can Ornithology Fund. The groups furnished during the 

 year include the Bahama Island, the Cuthbert Rookery, the 

 Golden Eagle, the Ptarmigan, the Klamath Lake, the Sage 

 Hen, the Wild Goose, the Grebe, and, finally, the Loon and 

 the Turkey Buzzard, which complete this important series. 



The wide-spread interest in this method of presenting bird 

 life to the public induced a number of friends of the Museum 

 to subscribe to a second bird group fund, and under this grant 

 a series of seasonal bird groups is being prepared. Mr. Chap- 

 man has already undertaken some of the necessary field work. 



