American Association of Museums 
111 
bird skins—to give reasons why they should be adequately and con¬ 
scientiously cared for. The value of a bird skin falls under two heads; 
research and education, though these terms are really closely allied, 
and the two functions blend. First, the bird skin, together with its 
label, is a repository of significant facts in a great number of fields. 
Of these we may mention: geographic distribution, ecology, phy- 
logeny, systematics, meaning of coloration, economic relations. New 
lines of inquiry are continually being brought to our attention such 
as may be based upon the study of bird skins. I know that external 
characters, such as are presented by the study skin alone, are often 
summarily depreciated, as merely superficial; but reflection brings out 
the fact of correlation of parts, and this fact must be given due weight. 
A single external feature may constitute an index to a train of depend¬ 
ent and correlated internal structures. The recognition of the one 
index character will often be sufficient for ecologic or systematic 
needs. 
As regards general educational value, the bird skin, in lieu of, or 
as supplementing, properly mounted and displayed specimens, serves 
well in class instruction and for the use of the amateur student who 
may be independently working in the fascinating field of ornithology. 
The number of the latter is increasing and the value of the museum 
study collection open for public use is correspondingly increasing. 
In this connection the fact of wide-spread discouragement of private 
collecting should be borne in mind, no matter how much we may 
sincerely deplore this tendency. 
The bird skin is an inevitable element in the equipment of most 
museums and should everywhere be accorded all needed attention 
to the end that it may serve fully its immediate and future usefulness. 
