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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



All the collections of vertebrate zoology have been rearranged, 

 and the present arrangement is deemed to be as attractive as 

 possible with the limited space now available. 



In all his work the curator has been hampered by lack of space 

 for the exhibits. All the cases are so overcrowded that, with the 

 exception of the bird collection, it is not possible to arrange the 

 different classes of vertebrates systematically. Many of the ex- 

 hibits should be considerably augmented. This would be specially 

 true of the collection of birds eggs and nests if more .space were 

 available, but, under the existing conditions, this increase would 

 be possible only at the expense of some of the other exhibits, 

 which would have to be stored. Moreover a large amount of 

 interesting material already belonging to the museum can not 

 now be placed on exhibition for lack of space. All the cases have 

 been cleaned and the specimens carefully dusted. Quite a little 

 work has been done in the way of repairing specimens, which it 

 is not possible to note in detail. 



A new and very attractive office has been built for the use of 

 the assistant zoologist on the northwest corner of the third floor 

 of the museum, and this is conveniently near the collections of 

 vertebrate zoology which are on the floor above. A room in the 

 basement has been assigned to the department for use as a 

 zoologic laboratory, and this also affords space for the storage of 

 glassware, alcoholics, etc. 



As a result of the limited appropriations for museum work, 

 the duties of the assistant zoologist during the year have been 

 those of a general curator, and but little time has been available 

 for original investigations. However, the work is now well under 

 way, and the coming year will present opportunities to pursue 

 field investigations, to increase materially our collection of -New 

 York state forms, to prepare a guide to the study of the collec- 

 tions, etc. 



During the year William L. Mulcahy, who has been employed 

 in the capacity of junior clerk, has rendered valuable assistance 

 in preparing labels and in general office work when not otherwise 

 engaged. 



