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congestion of space preventing addition of new exhibits of any size. The 
work of the preparatory staff has been mostly confined to remaking and 
improving old exhibits, and substitution of new material for old inferior 
material. A considerable number of single specimens of small birds have 
been added to the systematic exhibit of Canadian birds. Attractive 
habitat exhibits have been prepared of spotted sandpiper, nest and young, 
of local material, and of the black-tailed prairie-dog, the latter being 
collected by J. D. Soper near Val Marie, in southwestern Saskatchewan, 
in 1927, definitely establishing the occurrence of this species in Canadian 
territory. The preparation of such groups involves a great deal more time 
and labour than is generally supposed, for although the natural accessories, 
including all plants growing in the spot represented, are used, the plants 
have to be treated, and soft, perishable green leaves and flowers have to 
be cast and reproduced in wax, in some cases necessitating the manu- 
facture of many hundreds of individual leaves. 
Some progress has been made in labelling specimens in large, legible 
type, with correct names, and as much additional information as space 
allows. Where possible, appropriate photographs of the animal in its 
natural habitat are exhibited, as well as coloured maps showing the habitat, 
summer and winter ranges of migratory species, etc. Where specimens are 
donated, they are accredited to the donor. 
Arrangements have been made with the Forest Products Laboratory, 
for the installation of some new botanical exhibits, illustrating the growth 
and life history of four important species of commercial forest trees of 
Canada, including Douglas fir, western red cedar, hard maple, and white 
spruce. These will show sections of the trunks, leafy twigs, blossoms, and 
fruit. Exhibits will also be made of the process of making paper pulp. 
These exhibits will be in unit sizes, and will be extended further as more 
room is afforded. 
With the assistance of the Honorary Curator of Insects in the National 
Museum, Mr. Arthur Gibson, Dominion Entomologist, attractive and 
instructive exhibits of insects are being installed illustrating the life stages 
of several important species. These will be extended according to the 
space offered and material available. 
Field Work 
Important exhibits are made by gift or purchase, but the bulk of the 
material is obtained through staff activities in the field. Isolated and 
detached material is valuable as a source of additional information, but 
scientific reports on animal and plant life are truly valuable only to the 
extent in which they enable the reader to envisage specimens in their 
natural surroundings, and the economic value of a report is dependent on 
the scientist having made his study under actual conditions. 
Although it is possible to do a certain amount of winter work, and 
such is extremely desirable in connexion with some of our big game mam- 
mals and fur-bearers, we have heretofore not been able to do much in that 
line, except in the fortunate instances where members of the staff have been 
attached to extended expeditions. Biological collecting in Canada is 
largely a seasonal occupation, and competent field collectors are few in 
this country. Even if funds were available, the men are not available, 
as they require years of training to do really effective work. The amount 
and scope of our field work necessarily leaves much to be desired. 
