20 
the periodical fluctuations of the more valuable fur-bearing mammals 
have been noted for many years, the smaller mammals which have little 
or no economic value in themselves have been studied less than they 
deserve, as the presence and abundance of the smaller species have an 
important relation to the food supply and consequent abundance of some 
of the species more valuable to man. There is often some confusion in 
regard to data based on inadequate and inaccurate determinations of species 
of these smaller mammals. To check up these data it was considered 
necessary to have collections of small mammals made at different points 
and properly identified. Collecting mammal specimens in such shape that 
they are of value to museums is little more expensive than collecting 
specimens of practically no value at all. Representations to this effect 
were made to Mr. C. V. Sale, Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, 
and he authorized Chief Factor Charles H. French, Fur Trade Commis- 
sioner of the Company at Winnipeg, to co-operate with R. M. Anderson in 
the matter in the spring of 1929. Forty small sets of collecting equipment 
were accordingly prepared at Ottawa and shipped to Montreal, Winnipeg, 
Saskatoon, North Bay, Edmonton, and Vancouver, and from thence dis- 
tributed to the forty posts of the Hudson’s Bay Company selected as being 
in suitable positions to give a cross-section through a great part of northern 
Canada. It is hoped that much scientific data will be obtained to the 
advantage of both the Hudson’s Bay Company and the National Museum. 
As the posts are in most cases remote, results can hardly be expected to 
come in very quickly, but small lots of mice were received in the autumn 
of 1929 from Ile-a-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, and two species of lemmings 
from Lake Harbour, Baffin island, and more are expected during the sum- 
mer of 1930. 
C. E. Johnson continued to act as artist to the division. He also 
collected and prepared yellow warbler’s nest and eggs in situ, and com- 
pleted groups of ring-billed gull and Labrador iris. Mammal and bird 
skins were also collected. 
Accessions 
Accessions to the Zoological Collections: 
Mammals received and catalogued 846 
Birds received and catalogued 293 
Amphibians and reptiles received and catalogued 96 
Mammals : 
By members of staff: 712 specimens 
By gift: 116 specimens 
Fenley Hunter, Flushing, Long island, N.Y., 1 skin and skull of Dali mountain 
sheep, 1 skull and scalp of black bear from South Nahanni river, Mackenzie 
district, North West Territories. 
National Parks of Canada, Department of the Interior, 3 skins and 4 skulls of 
black bear from Yoho park, British Columbia; 1 skin of prairie red fox, 
from Prince Albert National park, Saskatchewan; 1 skin and skull of grizzly 
bear from Panther river, Pocky Mountains park, Alberta; 1 moose skin 
and skull, from Elk Island park, Alberta; 1 buffalo head, from Wainwright 
Buffalo park, Alberta. 
J. S. Charleson, Brandon, Manitoba, 1 Baird whitefooted mouse, 1 Drummond 
meadow mouse, 1 least upland vole, 1 Loring red-backed mouse, 1 jumping 
mouse, 1 short-tailed shrew. 
