APPENDIX 



FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT, 1873, 



The increase of our collections for public exhibition has requir- 

 ed seven new upright cases, which have been promptly built by 

 the Department of Public Parks in the lower hall. Two new ones 

 have also been placed in the upper hall, and the remaining space 

 available for exhibition on that floor will soon be occupied. 



Contracts have been made by the Department for the granite, 

 mason and iron-work of the new fire-proof edifice on Manhattan 

 Square, between 8th and 9th Avenues, and 77th and 81st Streets, 

 and the walls, floors and roof are to be completed by next Nov- 

 ember. The foundations and basement story are already finished, 

 and the extraordinary thickness and careful construction of their 

 walls give an assurance that the structure, when completed, will 

 be of the most enduring character. 



The birds have been re-arranged by Professor Bickmore and 

 Dr. Holder; the South American collection having been transfer- 

 red from the second floor to the new cases in the lower hall, 

 and the fine series of skeletons purchased of Verreaux substi- 

 tuted in their place. The birds of Australia and the Pacific Is- 

 lands have been separated from those of Europe and Asia, and 

 placed in a faunal collection by themselves, thus completing the 

 geographical arrangement commenced when the Museum was 

 first opened to the public. Manuscript has also been prepared for 

 a popular guide-book for visitors. 



A Department of Anthropology has been formed, and a collec- 

 tion of rare implements made by the aborigines of Porto Rico 

 has been presented by the Trustees. A number of valuable con- 

 tributions of such specimens have been received, and this new 

 department promises to be one of the largest and most interesting- 

 features of the Museum. 



