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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Inasmuch as the work upon the new museum building has already 

 started, it seemed best to devote as much time as possible to the 

 collections in order that a proper showing may be made when the 

 new quarters are ready. With this end in view the specimens on 

 hand have been carefully examined and a list made of the material 

 of which there is special need. It is intended to illustrate by 

 groups as far as possible all the mammals of the State and as the 

 total number of these is only 81, including 10 of the Cetacea 

 (whales) which would not be suitable for such treatment, there 

 appears no reason why at least the majority should not be so shown. 

 At present 18 species, not including the whales, are not represented 

 in the collections and many others only by old and worn specimens. 

 Donations along these lines would be most welcome. 



The collection of birds is in much better condition and the num- 

 ber of New York species entirely lacking has been reduced to 18, 

 six of which belong to the hypothetical list. 



We have been particularly fortunate this year in receiving from 

 Dr R. W. Shufeldt, as a gift, his very fine collection of disarticulate 

 avian skeletons. This collection is probably equal to any in this 

 country. Two hundred species mostly North American are repre- 

 sented in it, the majority by complete skeletons. The collection, 

 of which the complete list is given under accessions, consists of 237 

 complete skeletons, 48 skulls, 63 sterna and 17 h voids. It should 

 also be mentioned in this connection that the collection includes 

 many of the types described and figured in Dr Shufeldt's papers, 

 among which are found complete male and female skeletons of the 

 Carolina paroquet (Conuropsis carolinensis) now nearly 

 extinct. 



To the collection of reptiles and amphibians a number of the 

 Ward casts have been added, and the old faded alcoholic specimens 

 are being replaced by new ones as opportunity arises. 



The best method of exhibiting the fish is a problem still unde- 

 cided. The taxidermist has, however, a method of mounting these 

 which it is believed will prove a step in advance of anything yet 

 accomplished. He is at present working on a group showing yellow 

 perch (Perca flavescens), and sunfish (Eupomotis 

 gibbosus) in their natural surroundings. 



The musk rat group upon which work was begun last year has 

 been placed on exhibition. This shows two muskrats near a musk- 

 rat house, while the rear of the group is a cross section of the 

 chamber and passageways. 



