HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM 



expedition organized for collecting and exploring was sent out. Under 

 his guidance this department has had continuous growth, and at the 

 present time the collections comprise more than 30,000 mammals and 

 90,000 birds in the exhibition and study series. Dr. Allen is recognized 

 as one of the foremost authorities on mammals and birds, and his 

 numerous contributions to systematic zoology are widely recognized 

 as of the highest merit. Besides carrying on his numerous researches, 

 in recent years he has devoted much of his time to editing the scientific 

 publications of the Museum. 

 Mr. f. m. In 1888 Mr. Frank M. Chapman was appointed Assistant Curator 



1888- i n this Department. His attention has been given primarily to orni- 



thology, in which branch of zoology he has attained preeminence. 

 It is in a large measure through his untiring energy and careful field 

 work that the Museum is indebted for the effectiveness of its bird 

 groups, which competent observers have declared to be second to none. 

 Mr. r. c. At the present time the Scientific Staff of this department includes 



And rcws 



1907- Mr. Roy Chapman Andrews, Assistant in Mammalogy, and Mr. W. 



Mr. w. De w. De w Mm Assistant in Ornithology. 



Miller, OJ 



1903- From time to time the Museum has availed itself of the services 



and advice of scientists who have specialized in particular groups of 



the mammals and birds, for the proper identification, classification, 



and installation of the material. Foremost among these should be 



Advisers mentioned Dr. Daniel Giraud Elliot, who served as scientific adviser 



and to the Trustees in the purchase of the first collections secured. It 



Specialists. 



was on his recommendation that the Verreaux and Vedray collections 

 were acquired. A few of the others who have assisted in the develop- 

 ment of the collection of mammals and birds are: Dr. Edgar A. Mearns, 

 U. S. A., who in 1883 identified, labeled, and catalogued a large col- 

 lection of European birds; Dr. A. K. Fisher and Dr. J. Dwight, Jr., who 

 in 1885 gratuitously labeled and catalogued the Elliot collection of 

 birds, and Mr. E. G. Lewis, who gave gratuitous service in the 

 Department of Ornithology in 1888. 



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