i8 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
The specimens contributed by Elmer Bradshaw grew on the 
sloping side of a causeway that was made one mile southwest of 
Mickleton by the grading of a turnpike in 1852. In a few years 
this bank became clothed with herbaceous plants, and Mr. Ben¬ 
jamin Heritage writes that he has seen ground squirrels carry¬ 
ing nuts and acorns from the adjacent wooded hill-side to their 
burrows in the bank or causeway. Some of these were doubtless 
overlooked by them, or their supply was greater than the de¬ 
mand, and in consequence some of them grew, and in a few years 
more the sides of that causeway were densely covered by a variety 
of forest trees, among them chestnut, white, red and pin oak, 
hickory, cherry, wild cherry, red cedar, white ash, white willow, 
apple, large-toothed aspen, dogwood, &c.” This, Mr. Heritage 
says, has been to him a very interesting object lesson, as to the 
manner in which a forest may be produced. 
The intention of the Commissioners of the Museum is to have 
a specimen of each species of wood in the State, together with 
the leaves, flowers and fruit of each, wherever possible. With 
this any person will be able to study each species by itself. By 
the kindness of Mr. Benj. Heritage and Professor Austin Apgar, 
of the State Normal School, collections of the leaves, flowers and 
fruit are to be made, and when completed will no doubt be a 
credit to them and the State. 
BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 
For the exhibit of natural history, the Commission authorized 
the Curator to make a collection of the birds of New Jersey, their 
nests and eggs. The work of making this collection was com¬ 
menced about two years ago. On account of the lack of room to 
display and protect the specimens, we could not at first make an 
extended collection, but continued making additions and have 
at the present time a fine collection. In most cases we have 
the male and female of each species, with many of the nests and 
egg*s, and some of the young where they could be procured. 
About thirty species have been placed under glass globes, ar¬ 
ranged with the nests and eggs, and showing, as far as possible, 
the surroundings of each bird as in its home. The large birds are 
