THE mm OF TBE 



APR 1 ? 1924 



Report of the Musetim of Natural History 



For forty-six days children were not admitted to the Museum and 

 the decrease in average attendance during that time from ninety 

 persons per day to fifteen daily indicated in a measure who uses the 

 museum. This fact suggested that additional attention might well be 

 given to features of work for children and consequent efforts have at- 

 tracted greater numbers of young people, The total attendance for the 

 year, 31,118 persons, is an unexpected increase over last year's records. 



Branch Museum 



At the Boy's Club a small branch has been opened. From duplicate 

 collections at the museum changing exhibits of mammals, reptiles, 

 birds and fishes are supplied and accompanied by carefully prepared 

 explanatory labels. Needless to say a cordial invitation to visit the 

 main museum is included. 



Work With Scouts 



For scouts, weekly lessons or field excursions have been conducted, 

 and scout masters have asked for and been given biweekly bird lectures. 



Museum Clubs 



Nature study clubs have sprung up among the boys and girls who 

 frequent the Museum and these interests are fostered by the staff sup- 

 plying practical instruction and aid in identification of material. Empty 

 cupboards and drawers house collections which are acquired on excursions 

 or given by visitors who become interested in the work of the children. 

 The young people are eager for field work with a qualified conductor. 

 To a limited extent arrangements have been made for such trips and 

 while some way must be found to meet this demand it is difficult to see 

 how field work to any extent can be added to the present manifold re- 

 quirements made of the Museum's small staff. 



Lectures and Story-telling 



The usual free lecture work has included a series of talks on local 

 natural history by Miss Fannie A. Stebbins, and single lectures by Mr. 

 T. Nelson Dale on local geology, James H. Emerton on spiders, and 

 two lectures on birds by noted ornithologists. 



Saturday morning story-telling for children has been attempted for 

 the first time. Nineteen lectures were given with a total attendance 

 of 1402 children who, in these illustrated stories, have been told of the 

 formation of the hills, valleys and rivers about their city; of this re- 



