26 MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. [Feb. 
Haast, Dr. J., Christ-church, New Zealand. Skeletons, some of 
them sufficiently perfect to be mounted, of 4 species of Dinornis, 
(D. crassus, D. elephantopus, D. dodiformis, D. casuarius.) Also 
50 specimens, 36 species of skins, from New Zealand. 
Kaur, Dr. (Museum of Darmstadt.) 26 specimens, 23 species, 
chiefly from Celebes, Timor and Molucca. 
Layarp, Prof. E. L. (South African Museum.) 82 specimens, 
66 species, from South Africa; 9 specimens, 7 species, from India, 
and 1 specimen from Australia, skins. Also 134 specimens, 59 
species, dry eggs, from South Africa. 
McCoy, Prof. Freprric. (Victoria Museum, Melbourne.) 119 
specimens, skins, from Melbourne. . 
Scurmper, Prof. Wu. (Museum of Strasburg.) 178 specimens, 
106 species, skins, the greater part finely mounted, chiefly from 
Germany. 
By Purchase. 
1,023 specimens, 124 species, skins; 146 mounted specimens, 80 
species; 35 sternums, 31 species; and 12 skulls, 9 species; all from 
Eastern Massachusetts. Also 80 specimens, 35 species, skins, from 
Iowa and Illinois. Also 1 dodo, from Mauritius, (through Mr. 
Mellers, U. 8. Consul at Mauritius.) 
Norte. 
Circular in reference to obtaining data concerning the distribution 
of North American birds in the breeding season. 
All naturalists are aware that the Geographical Distribution of 
animals and plants is a subject of great and general interest, and 
that its investigation is at present greatly retarded by the small 
number of facts on record. This is more particularly the case in 
reference to Birds, inasmuch as their range in the breeding season, 
which is by far the most essential, is less known than their general 
range, including their migratory journeys. The present Circular is 
issued by the Museum of Comparative Zodlogy, with the hope that, 
through the general co-operation of Ornithologists, such facts may 
be collected as will furnish much additional information relating to 
the distribution of the North American species at this season. 
While complete lists of the species occurring in many localities 
is extremely desirable,—with full notes in reference to the times of 
their migrations, seasons of occurrence, time of nesting, and rel- 
ative abundance,—partial lists, even embracing only the more com- 
