8 



In the Department of Birds and Mammals the additions have 

 been numerous and valuable ; the larger number being donations 

 from Dr. Edgar A. Mearns, Surgeon U. S. A., Messrs. Barnum 

 & Bailey, and the Central Park Menagerie, through Dr. W. A. 

 Conklin. The skeletons of the African elephant "Jumbo " and 

 of the Indian elephant " Samson " have been replaced in the 

 Museum. A collection of birds and eggs from South Africa was 

 presented through the liberality of Messrs. D. Willis James, 

 Cornelius Vanderbilt and Charles S. Smith. The total number 

 of accessions have been 2270 mammals, 5475 birds, 4000 eggs 

 and 60 skeletons. 



The Snowden Howland Collection of Eggs of North American 

 birds, numbering near 3000 specimens, has been given to the 

 Museum, through the kind intervention of Mr. Clarence King. 



Plaster busts of the Chimpanzee have been prepared and for- 

 warded to various scientific institutions in this country and 

 Europe, as noted in the report of the Taxidermic Department. 



The expedition to the Indian Territory for accessories for use 

 in the Buffalo group was successful beyond expectation, as, in 

 addition to the object of the journey, the Museum acquired 325 

 specimens of birds and mammals, fully equalling in value the cost 

 of the expedition. 



Large increase of material has been made in the Insect De- 

 partment, and in connection therewith is now being prepared for 

 an economic exhibit handsome groups representing all phases of 

 insect life, and its injurious effect upon vegetation, to be ex- 

 hibited with the Collection of Woods. Twenty-four groups will 

 be prepared, and are well under way. This valuable feature has 

 not been attempted as yet by any other museum, and will prove 

 of educational value to students and the public. 



The new halls will afford space for the proper exhibition of 

 the Jesup Collection of Woods, with its accompanying water- 

 colors, representing the foliage, blossoms and fruit. 



The more frequent publication of "Bulletins" by the Curators 

 during the past year ; the conferences of the American Geological 

 Society and the American Ornithologists' Union, which were 

 held in the new hall, will tend largely to bring the Museum into 

 close relations with the scientific public ; and it is a cause for 



