1872.] 



SENATE— No. 249. 



9 



Report on the Mammals and Birds, bj J. A. Allen. 

 During the past year little has been done on the collections of 

 Mammals and Birds, beyond caring for their preservation, 

 owing to my absence from the Museum, on a collecting tour to 

 the Rocky Mountains. Early in the year, hermetically closing 

 tin boxes were provided for the entire collection of unmounted 

 skins of both birds and mammals, excepting a few of the larger 

 specimens of the latter, for which tight wooden boxes were pre- 

 pared. The skins were immediately removed, from the insecure 

 cases in which they had been previously stored, to these insect- 

 proof boxes. They were thoroughly fumigated as they were 

 removed, and have since remained undisturbed. The alcoholic 

 collections were also examined and properly cared for during 

 the early part of the year, so that they still remain in good con- 

 dition. 



In respect to the additions to these departments, the year has 

 been an important one. Dr. G. A. Maack, an assistant in the 

 palseontological department, made, while attached as naturalist 

 to Commander Selfridge's Darien expedition, valuable collec- 

 tions of birds and mammals, which, through the kindness of 

 the Hon. G. W. Robeson, Secretary of the Navy, have become 

 the property of the Museum. These collections number several 

 hundred specimens, and contain many of great value. 



A collection of Florida birds and mammals, numbering nearly 

 1,500 specimens, has been purchased of Mr. C. J. Maynard. 

 This collection supplies many deficiencies in the reserve collec- 

 tion, and furnishes many duplicates of Florida forms for ex- 

 change. 



The Museum has also received a collection of beautifully pre- 

 pared skins of European birds, numbering 47 species, and 

 nearly 100 specimens, from Dr. H. Dohrn, of Stettin, Prussia, 

 and from the same gentleman, a choice collection of eggs, 

 numbering over one hundred specimens, and representing 38 

 European species. 



Valuable and extensive additions to these departments have 

 also resulted from the expedition sent out to the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, the past year, by the Museum. The expedition left Cam- 

 bridge in April, and was in the field nearly nine months. Col- 

 lections were made at intervals from the Missouri River to the 



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