ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES 



FOR THE YEAR 1887. 



To the Patrons, Felloivs and Members of the Museum : 



The Treasurer's account shows the receipts of the year to 

 have been $63,890.71, and the expenditures $61,434.64, of which 

 $31,128.75 was for necessary expenses, which include salaries, 

 fixtures, repairs, labor, etc. The sum of $30,305.88 was for 

 additions to the collections. Of the total receipts, the city has 

 contributed the sum of $14,989.20. 



Many large and important additions have been made during 

 the past year, which include the Lawrence Collection of American 

 birds, numbering 12,000 specimens ; a collection of 4,000 Brazilian 

 birds ; the Elliot Ornithological Library (of about 1,000 volumes), 

 accompanied by his celebrated collection of hummingbirds, which 

 is next to the largest known in the world. 



There has been placed in the Geological department a skeleton 

 of a Mastodon, which forms one of the most striking and attract- 

 ive features in this department of the Museum. 



Towards securing the above-mentioned, striking and valuable 

 collections, the Museum is especially indebted to Mrs. Robert L. 

 Stuart, Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mr. Percy R. Pyne, Mr. James 

 M. Constable and Mr. Joseph W. Drexel, for their generous 

 contributions. 



Especial mention should be made of the addition to the Col- 

 lection of Bird Groups, mounted in characteristic attitudes, and 

 surrounded by natural accessories, the gift of our devoted friend, 

 Mrs. R. L. Stuart. 



The annexed abstracts from the Curators' reports show other 

 important additions, both by purchase and donation. 



