HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM 
number of small mammals, specimens of the Barren Ground caribou, 
musk ox, and a few bearded seals. 
On an expedition to Central and Southern Mexico in 1902, under 
Mr. J. H. Batty, an extensive collection of mammals and birds was 
obtained. 
The mammals collected in Eastern Siberia during 1900 and 1901 
by the Jesup North Pacific Expedition numbered over 500 specimens, 
representing 30 species, about one-thi»d of which proved new to science. 
Through the Tjiider Expedition to British East Africa in 1906 and 
1907, about 450 specimens of mammals and birds were received, 
among which were a number of Grant zebras. 
Through the Peary Arctic Club the Museum has acquired a large 
number of mammals and birds collected by Commander Peary on his 
expeditions to the Far North. Among the specimens brought back 
on one of the earlier expeditions were the musk oxen, now mounted in 
a habitat group. These were collected on Bache Peninsula in October, 
1908. About 100 specimens, among them an especially fine polar 
bear, were received when Commander Peary returned in 1902. 
The material brought back in 1906 added a large number of speci- 
mens to the collections from the Far North, the most important being 
a herd of a new species of white caribou (the Peary caribou) and 
nearly 70 specimens of musk oxen. 
The latest and largest addition to the Arctic mammal series was 
received when Commander Peary returned from his expedition of 
1908 and 1909. It contained about 250 specimens, among them a 
very large series of musk oxen and Peary caribou. 
One of the unique features of the Department's collection of birds 
No;;h" is the series of habitat groups of North American birds which have 
A-„ca„ recently been completed. These groups not only depict typical bird 
life of North America, but the backgrounds painted from nature also 
show typical American scenery. To bring together the material for 
this exhibit, many expeditions have been sent into the field during 
the last fifteen years, under the direction of Curator Chapman, who 
has traveled more than 65,000 miles to secure the necessary data 
[72] 
Habitat 
Groups of 
