270 COMMENT AND CRITICISM. 



COMMENT AND CRITICISM, 



The Maynard Chapter of the Newton Natural History Society is con- 

 templating establishing a museum of specimens for the use of the teachers 

 and pupils of Newton and for members of the chapter. The nucleus of this 

 collection will be some thice thousand specimens owned by the original society 

 and which have been accumulating for some twenty years. 



This collection is to be placed in a room ajoining the laboratory, on 

 Crafts st., West Newton, where the chapter holds its meetings. Specimens 

 are to be loaned to applicants who are entitled to their use, in a similar 

 manner that books are loaned from a library. Teachers and others who de- 

 sire specimens to illustrate particular subjects will be guided in their choice 

 by Mr. Maynard or by some skilled assistant. 



Money, which is necessary for the furnishing of a room suitable for 

 the purpose of a museum, is to be raised by a series of lectures that are to 

 given in Newton by members of the chapter. 



This plan, which must be of great benefit to teachers and others is 

 the realiaztion of an idea which, Mr. Maynard, its projenitor, has had in 

 mind for a number of years, and bids fair, judging from the enthusiasim 

 with which it has been received, to meet with success. 



It is remarkable that the closing month of the present century brings 

 to us, here in Eastern Massachusetts, a large number of white- winged cross- 

 bills, a species of bird which has not visited this section for a number of 

 years. , 



Pine siskins are also present, but up to date, Dec. 20th, not in any 

 great numbers. 



The red-bellied nuthatch was reported by Miss L. A. Young at a re- 

 cent meeting of the Maynard Chapter, as being common this season in New- 

 ton and vicinity. They are also common at Chestnut Hill. 



