MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



5 



Special Exhibits, 



No feature of the work has been of more value in attracting atten- 

 tion and stimulating study than the displays of specimens in Botany and 

 Zoology that have been maintained through the entire year. Each month 

 the migrant birds that appear at that season are put out on a table and 

 are labeled with common and scientific name. A full list of the speci- 

 mens listed during the early months of 1902 may be found in the annual 

 report for that year, on pp. 13-15. 



Observations on the arrival of birds in and about Springfield during 

 the spring months are noted on the bulletin board and comparisons made 

 with previous years. Up to May 1 of the present year 40 species were 

 observed as compared with 41 in 1902 aiM 2(3 in 1901. 



Last year Dr. Dim mock began to give illustrations of insects with 

 living specimens. The scope and nature of this new feature of the work 

 is given in the following account prepared by Dr. Dimmock at my re(|uest : 



" Illustrating the habits of our insects by living specimens was begun 

 early in 1902, by an exhibition of 22 kinds of galls caused by different 

 insects on plants. Later in the season, as caterpillars of various kinds 

 became more abundant, different stages of 9 species of butterflies, 6 of 

 sphinx moths, 24 of bombycid moths, and 10 species of moths belonging 

 to other families were shown. Some of the caterpillars were gaudily 

 colored, others were mimics of twigs in form and color. A fine lot of 

 about 40 cecropia moths, the largest New England species, was reared 

 from eggs to cocoons, and the latter kept over winter in order to show 

 the emerging moths this season. Among other large moths reared, was 

 the royal moth, which is rare in Massachusetts. Of beetles 20 kinds were 

 shown alive, and earlier stages were shown of 10 kinds, a rather large 

 exhibit of earlier stages for this order of insects. Twelve other miscel- 

 laneous insects were on the tables, making over 100 species of our native 

 insects shown alive, in one or more stages, during the season. The 

 interest taken in these living insects, especially by school children, well 

 repaid the labor of caring for this miniature menagerie. 



" A table was occupied for a time in raising silkworms, and, besides 

 attracting much attention, furnished specimens to enrich our collection 

 of useful insects and their products. 



" This spring a table has been already devoted to early aquatic insects, 

 and also to some of our salamanders and tadpoles, but, as the work forms 

 a part of the program for the coming summer, statistics will be reserved 

 for the next report." 



The exhibit of flowers was continued through the summer months 

 and has grown in value. In 1902, a total of 387 species were thus dis- 



