HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM 



number of small mammals, specimens of the Barren Ground caribou, 

 musk ox, and a few bearded seals. 



On an expedition to Central and Southern Mexico in 1902, under 

 Mr. J. H. Batty, an extensive collection of mammals and birds was 

 obtained. 



The mammals collected in Eastern Siberia during 1900 and 1901 

 by the Jesup North Pacific Expedition numbered over 500 specimens, 

 representing 30 species, about one-third of which proved new to science. 



Through the Tjiider Expedition to British East Africa in 1906 and 



1907, about 450 specimens of mammals and birds were received, 

 among which were a number of Grant zebras. 



Through the Peary Arctic Club the Museum has acquired a large 

 number of mammals and birds collected by Commander Peary on his 

 expeditions to the Far North. Among the specimens brought back 

 on one of the earlier expeditions were the musk oxen, now mounted in 

 a habitat group. These were collected on Bache Peninsula in October, 



1908. About 100 specimens, among them an especially fine polar 

 bear, were received when Commander Peary returned in 1902. 



The material brought back in 1906 added a large number of speci- 

 mens to the collections from the Far North, the most important being 

 a herd of a new species of white caribou (the Peary caribou) and 

 nearly 70 specimens of musk oxen. 



The latest and largest addition to the Arctic mammal series was 



received when Commander Peaty returned from his expedition of 



1908 and 1909. It contained about 250 specimens, among them a 



very large series of musk oxen and Peary caribou. 



Habitat One of the unique features of the Department's collection of birds 



N g r "£ s is the series of habitat groups of North American birds which have 



American recently been completed. These groups not only depict typical bird 



Birds. 



life of North America, but the backgrounds painted from nature also 

 show typical American scenery. To bring together the material for 

 this exhibit, many expeditions have been sent into the field during 

 the last fifteen years, under the direction of Curator Chapman, who 

 has traveled more than 65,000 miles to secure the necessary data. 



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