MUS A891 pp:; RHJK; w B|fflfiT:« r^ - ^ ^ ^B ^^^^Hr ^^E' ^^^^Krj' Kii^ ---■;•; ttlHI J; ?; BB^ ~ -5 ^Hm^k '} Hi K '^^^B 4 ;c [5; ; ; : ; HARVARD UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY THE MUSEUM. 1895 A M EDDY PRINTER ALBION N Y VOL. I. 1894-5. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted to Research in Natural Science. Rates: $1.00 per year in advance, to all countries. Single numbers, 10 cents. Published the 15th of each month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. INDEX. Vol. I. An Old Timer's Greeting 5 American Osprey 5 American Egret 17 Atlantic Coast Starfishes 18 Astroplayton Agassizii 19 Archaster Agassizi 21 Archaster Amerieanus . . .21 Asterias Vulgaris 21 " Berylinus 21 ' ' Forbesii 21 Ashy Petrel 38 American Raven .43, 251 Aplyais 48 Astralium Tentoriforme 48 Aplysia Keranbrena 48 Arctic Notes 53, 85, 101 Aleutian Sandpiper 58 Acanthaster Solaris 74 Astropecten Bispinosus 77 A Review 82 American White-fronted Goose 86 Attteus Cecropia 87 " Luna 87 Atticus Cynthia 87 American Goldfinch 119 Albino Canadian Ruffed Grouse 113 Albino Muskrat 113 American Dipper 117 American Goldeneye 124 Among the Rockies 133, 167, 261 An Ancient Lake 141, 200 Arctic Tern 186 American Flamingo 202, 204 Asphaltum, and the Pitch Lake of Trinidad 205 American Rough-legged Hawk 251 An Hour with Baird's and Leconte's Spar- rows near St. Louis, Mo 305 American Crow 119, 309 Atalapha novceboracensis 328 American Association for the Advancement of Science 343 Brunnich's Murre 118 Black-backed Gull 50 Bristol County Ornithological Club 5 Black and White Warbler 6 Bald Eagle 18, 119 Brown J ay 23 Brandt' s Cormorant 38 Baird's Cormorant 38 Boltenia Pachydermatina 48 Bird Egging, "Down Along" 50 Black Guillemot 50 Bird Hospital 336 Butterflies in the Rockies 170 Black Duck 50 Black Vulture 69 Beaver 71, 148 Butterflies and Moth Life 87 Barred Owl 119 Blue Jay 119 Brown Creeper 119 Blue-winged Teal 122 Black Rat 147 Brown Rat 147 Birds as Protectors of Orchai'ds 370 Breeding of Sterna upon Weepecketa Is- lands, Mass 185 Byron Reed Collection 218 Baird's Sparrow 305 Blarina brevicauda 329 Brittle Starfish , 19 Basket Fish or Medusa's Head 19 Cat Bird 6 Collecting Starfish 22 Coppery-tailed Trojan 23 Common New England Rocks 27 Cassin's Auk 38 California Murre 38 Calcareous Tufa 44 Chamostrea albida 48 Cassis pyrum 48 Cyprtea xanthodon 48 Chromodoris bennetli 48 Capped Quartz 49 Canada Jay 52 Culcita pentangularis 73 Cephatopods 72 California Purple Urchin 102 Concretionary Granite 105 (.oral 107 California Jay 112 Cooper Ornithological Club 113 Chickadee 119 Chuck-will's-widow, Notes on the Nesting of 119 Cave of the Winds 136 VI THE MUSEUM. Crocodiles, Preparing Skeleton of 140 Canada Porcupine 14G Common House Mouse 147 Chimney Swift 83, 166 Canada Otter 184 Common Tern 186 Carolina Paroquet, Collection of 216 Cypriea, Notes on 233 Ceremonial Weapons 236 Celts 239 Collection and Preservation of Marine In- vertebrates 249 Collecting in the Rockies 251 Curious Collision 374 Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse 251 Clarke's Nutcracker 262 Changes in Land and Sea 266, 297 Collecting Plants 272 Collecting Eggs of the Golden Eagle 294 Clebourne Collection 297 Chipmunk, Ground Squirrel 150 Duck Hawk 17 Derby Flycatcher 23 Drillia oweni 48 Dredging 52 Dusky Grouse 79 Downy Woodpecker 119 Deer Mouse 147 Deposit in Nesting Trees of Choetura pela- gica 166 Dana, James G 198 Directions for Collecting and Preserving Fish 236 Eider Duck 50 Edible Birds Nests 73 English Sparrow 119 Esculent Swallow, the 155 Entomologist's Collecting Can 105 Everglade Kite 242 Elk 251 El Chanaralino Meteorite 348 Farralono Islands 39 Foolish Guillemont 50 Fossils 52 Forked-tail Petrel 55 Florida Phosphate Rock 78 Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawk 123 Fishes, Preparing Skeletons of 140 Fox Squirrel 151 Fitch, Ray G 300 Flying Sfiuirrol 151 Flowers in the Rockies 170 Fish Commission Exiiibit at Atlanta 210 Fishery Exiiibit, A 252 Florida (iopher, or Land Tortoise 299 Farmington, Kansas, Meteorite 349 Great Crested Flycatcher 6 Greenley Island, Labrador 15 Guat. Ivory-billed Woodpecker 23 Gigantic Birds of Southern Patagonia 363 Great Rufous- bellied Kingfisher 23 Golden Eagle 49, 109, 294 Glacial Moraine 51 Glaucous- winged Gull 55 Goniaster equestris 75 Greenshank 85 Geological Society and American Associa- tion Meetings 375 Great Horned Owl 119, 171 Gadwell 122 Gray Rabbitt, Cotton-tail 146 Ground Hog, Woodchuck 149 Gray Sperniophile 149 Granite 167 Goshawk 171 Glaciers of Greenland 24 Great Blue Heron 243 Gray Ruffed Grouse 251 Giant Kites for Scientific Pui'poses 302 Great Auk 326 Halicoudia rubra 47 Hermit Crab 48 Herkimer County Quartz Crystals 49 Herring Gull 50 Hudsonian Titmouse 52 Horned Puffin 54 Hudsonian Chickadee 76 Heliaster Kubingii 77 Hutchin's Goose 86 Harlequin Duck 87 Hairy Woodpecker 119 Harvest Mouse 148 How to Interest People in the Microscope. 153 Hibernating Mammals, Notes on 327 Hamilton Count}' Meteorites 347 Indigo Bunting 6 Industries of Animals 71 Indian Arrow Heads 206 Instructions Relative to Shipping Fresh Fish and other Animals 340 Jumping Mouse 146, 330 King Eider 51 Keokuk Geology 358 Labrador Notes 9 La, Bras d'Or 9 Luidia clathrapa 20 Loon 50 Long-toed Stint 58 Long- cared Owl 119 Lemming Mouse 147 Lai)land Longspur 171 J^eaf-shaped Implements 238 Lobster Hatching at the Woods HoU, Mass. Station of the U. S. F. C 247 Leconte's Sparrow 305 La Bella Roca Meteorite 346 THE MUSEUM. Vll TMarsh Hawk 5 Motmot .: 23 Mexican Crow 23 Mica Schist , 27 Mongolian Plover 57 Mammal Labels 111 Mammal Skins, Preparation of 109 Murex endivia 121 My Honeymoon 131 Muskrat 146 Meadow Mouse 147 Moa 211 Millerite 248 "Missing Link" 252 Meteorite 345 Nashville Warbler 5 Nesting of the Whip-poor-will 6 Night Hawks Eggs 6 Nesting Habits of the Yellow-billed Tropic Bird 15 Notes from the Interior of Mexico 23 Natural Preservatiou of Leaves, Ferns and other Vegetable and Animal Remains. . . .44 Notes on the Nesting'of the DuckjHawk. . .69 Nidorella armata 76 Notes on the Preparation^ of Rough Skele- tons 103, 138 Nesting of the White-tail Kite 112 Nutlal's Woodpecker 112 Northern Shrike 119 Notes on the Northern Raven in Maine. . .361 Northern Hare 146 Noi'thern Grey Squirrel 150 Northern Flying Squirrel ' 152 National Academy of Sciences 212 New, or Little Known Plants 215 Nickle Ore at Keokuk, la 248 Northern Scientific Expedition 303 Ophiom usium armigerum 19 " " lymani 19 Ophiopholis aculeata 19 Ornithological Paradise 39 Oreaster tun-itus 75 Otter 184 Parula VVarbler 6 Porcuj)ine 9, 146 Pufiinparrakeet 13, 50 Pigeon Guillemot 38 Phlylosiphonia Calif ornis 47 Pied-billed Grebe 50 Pine Grosbeak 52, 116 Pallas' Murre 53 Paroquet Auklet 54 Pacific Kittiwake 55 Parasitic Jaeger 55 Pacific Fulmar 56 Pacific Golden Plover 57 Pintail 86, 122 Pacific Eider 101 Pelagic Cormorant 101 Preparation of Mammal Skins for Study. .109 Preservative for Mammal Skins Ill Pileated Woodpecker 119, 187 Prairie Mouse 148 Pleasures of a Spring Day 178 Petroleum 206 Puquoise Meteorite 348 Polv pody : The Common 330 Parnassius Smintheus 264 Quartzite 27 Red-shouldered Hawk 5, 187 Raphyrus hixoni 47 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6 Razor-billed Auk 11, 50 Rock Wren 38 Rannella leucostoma 48 Red-throated Diver 50 Rusty Blackbird 53 Redpoll 53 Red-legged Kittiwake 55 Red-headed Woodpecker 73, 119 Riley, Chas. V 357 Red-backed Sandpiper 85 Red-faced Cormorant 101 Ruffed Grouse .118 Red-breasted Nuthatch 119 Rodents of Michigan, The 144 Red Squii'rel, Chickaree 150 Reported Extinction of the Genus Achatinel- la and Marvelous Development of a Flor- ida Fasciolai'ia. Notes on 180 Roseate Tern 186 Red-shafted Flicker 363 Rocky Mountain Pica 265 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Solitary Vireo 5 Solaster endeca 20 Serpent Stars 18 Shell Hunt 40 Feet Under the Sea 45 Struthiolaria scutulata 48 Snow Bunting 52, 119 Slaty-backed Gull 55 Smithsonian Institution and U. S. National Museum 368 Short-tailed Albatros 56 Secretai'y Bird 71 Steliar's Duck 101 Snowy Owl , 103 Saw-whet Owl 119 Screech Owl 119, 153 Snowy Owl 119 Sand-hill Crane. 123, 251 Sceloporus undulapus 137 Snake, Preparation of the Skeleton of 139 Short-tailed Meadow Mouse 147 Stripped Prairie Squirrel, Gopher 149 Spring N otes 170 VIU THE MUSEUM. Swallow-tailed Kite 230 Sage Grouse 251 Some Old-time Collecting 268 Sensitive Movements of Plants 394 Scalops aquaticus 329 Skunk, Our Friend the 382 Sucking Fish, A 342 Tufted Puffin 38, 53 Trigonia alamarcki 48 Turnstone 56 Toxotes jaculator 71 Tailor Bird 73 Turtles, Preparation of the Skeleton 139 Triumphs of a Taxidermist 181 Two Days Hunt in the Rockies 293 Toads, Breeding Habits of 339 Yolafumata 48 Vanilla and its Cultivation 88 Voluta Junonica 104 Venus Flower Basket 122 Vespertiles f uscus 328 Western Gull 38 Wood Duck 50 Wilson's Warbler 52 Whiskered Auklet 54 White-rumped Shrike 73 White Ants 74 Wandering Tatler 85 Whistling Swan. Notes on 114 Winter Birds 118 White-winged Cross-bill 119 White-breasted Nuthatch 119, 178 Whip-poor-will, Note on 152 Wilson Ornithological Chapter 177 Western Porcupine 251 "Water Dogs" 263 White-footed Mouse 330 Yellow-breasted Chat 6 Yellow-billed Tropic Bird 15 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Archasler Agassazi 20 Asterias vulgaris 21 Acanthaster Solaris 74 Astropecten bispinosus 77 American Dipper's Nests 117 Aspergillum vagiferum 139 American ( "ro w Feeding Young , ... 179 American Flamingo 203 Arrow heads, 22 kinds, 206 Albino Muskrat 215 Antelope, 3 kinds 270 Agate shell 332 Brittle Starlish 19 Basket Starlish 19 Black Sea Beaver 145 Bulla Shell 331 Bulimus oblongus 331 Baculitc 336 Culcita pentangularis 72 Colony of California Murres 80 Cypraea argus, eyed Cowry 175 Ceremonial Weapons, drills, 10 designs, . .230 Celts, 3 designs 239 Cask shell 332 Criuoid head, Indiana 339 Descent of C. Pelagica 166 Dana, James G 198 Entomologist collecting bottles, 105 Euplectella aspergiHam 122 Entrance to the Garden of the Gods 134 Egg shell 332 El Chanaralino Meteorite 348 Fox 273 Fan shell 331 Fossil Teeth 336 Fossil Fish 337 Fossil Shark tooth 339 Fossil "plum" 342 Greenly Island; The Home of the Auks and Puffins, 13 Great Arch, Farralone Islands 38 Glacier Moraine in Labrador 51 Glacier Pass, near Chateau, Labrador 5S Goniaster equestris 75 Group of Natural History Specimens... .268 Hand blow pipe 28 Heliaster Kubingii 77 Hamilton County Meteorite , . .348 Japanese Eburna. . 332 Keyhole Limpet 332 Leaf shaped Implements, 4 designs 238 La Bella Roca Meteorite, 2 designs 346 Mammoth California Purple Urchin 102 Murex eudivia 121 Mussel shell 331 Nest and Eggs of Whip-poor- Will 7 Nest and Eggs of the Western Gull 4^ Nidorella armata 7& Nest and Eggs of the Great Horned Owl. .172 Nassa shell 331 Osgood, W. H. and one-half day's spoils on the Farralones 39^ Oreaster turritus 75 Oregon Helix 331 Pentremite 33^ Parnassius smintheus 265 Pikes Peak, showing the home of the Pika 263 Perforators, 6 kinds, 212 Pearl Trochus 176 Serpent Star fish 19 Solaster endeca 20 Shore seen on the Farralone Islands, Pacific 41 Shells cut in section, various species 70 Scene on Little Cedar Bayou, Laporte, a Texas 123^ "Sea Lion" and "Bear" 137 Sea Biscuit 142 Swallow-tailed Kite and Eggs 232 Scrapers, 4 designs, 240 Stair case shell 331 Scala-ribbed Chiton 332 Screw shell 332 Sea horse 340 Section of Puquios Meteorite 347 Trilobites 339 Trochus niloticus 331 View on the St. Lawrence on the way to Labrad oi 14 Voluta Junonica 104 Voluta Imperialis 174 Whistling Swan 115 White Murex 182 Whelk 332. VOL I. NO. I NOVEMBER, 1894. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted Exclusively to Research in Natural Science. RATES: — $1.00 per year to all counti'ies, in advance. Single numbers, lo cts. Published the Fifteenth of Each Month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. WANTS, EXCHANGES AND FOE SALES. All notices that come iiiRler above will be inserted in this depaitinent until fnvther notice at one-half (i) cent a word. No notice less than 2.")c. Terms Cash with order. Nu c/iarge for adflrcsfi. 1 shall at all times endeavor to keep parties, whose reputation is of a doubtful char- acter from Using these columns. FOR SALE.— 1 have a few very tine well trained Ferrers. Parties de>irin^ same would do well to write me for prices. NATHAN L. DAVIS, Albion, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE. — Several hundred mount- ed birds for anything in line of eggs or skins, common or rare. Also a few rare antl ilesir- able skins and eggs from Arizona and Lower California for egs-s or skins. Send lists. JAMES P. BABBrrT, Tauutou, Mass. —Minerals and Fossils for or stamps. Fllustrated TO EXCHANGE Birds Eggs, Shells catalogue by mail, 10c. J. M. WIERS, 857 West Van Buren St., Chicago, Ills. WANTED.— Any U. S. stamps catalogued at 2c or over. Can offer in exehansie, books, magazines, supplies, etc. Also a fine collec- tion of eggs at i Lattin's prices. Write for particulars. No postals. JOHN B. SEY- MOUPv, Clinton, Oneida Do., N. Y. WAN'JED — A colored edition of Studer's Birds of North America. Will give good ex- change. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE— A $50 stamp collection, both foreign and U S., some rare issues, a complete issue of 1870, and some rare Confed- erate stamps, 500 Columbian &tam)>s, also a burnisher, a new 4x5 photograph lens, with revolving diaphragm, a set of 14 vols, of American Encyclopaedia. 30 old coins and a ueatl}^ bound coin book; for best offei-s. Eggs in sets, with full data. A 22 or 32 Winchester rifle wanted. S. W. HARRIS, Reading Ave.. Hillsdale. Mich. CORRECTLY named Coleoptera. Land and Fresh Water Shells,fine skulls of Muskrat and job printing to exchange for Coleoptera.shells, eggs in sets, bird and mammal skins and old U. S. and Confederate stamps. Send lists and receive mine Lizards and Salamanders wanted. W. E. SNYDER, Naturali.-t. Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. PLANT Presses for Botanists. The Queen, finest ever made, complete ready for use $2.50. A cheaper press, of ash. lattice work, size 13x 181, copper riveted, light and durai^le each $1. Same i size for young people 5()r. Straps for same, 25c. W.F.WEBB, Albion. N. Y. WANTED.— Pupils in shorthand, penman- ship, bookkeeping or Spanish- I teach all these branches bj' mail and personally and se- cure good positions when competent. I make the securing of good positions for mv pupils a specialty. No other school does that. For circulars and infoi-matiou write, W.(r. CHAF- FEE, Oswego, N . Y. N3t TANNING LIQUOR.— For tanning all kinds of Mammal Skins, new lot just made up per qt. by E.vpress, $1: gallon jug, $3. Prices on large (pianties on application. W^. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. INDIAN RELICS e.xchanged for Shark and Alligator skulls with perfect dentures. DAN- IEL B. FREEMAN, D. D. S., 4000 Drexel Boulevard. Chicago, 111. FOR EXCHANGE.— Fine sets of 311. 410, 396, 719b, 188, G02, 200, 477a, 593c. 314, 319, 335 and many others. Send on list of any tine sets you may have. Will exchange sin- gles of above for other rare singles. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. CHECKING LISTS.— A new lot just re- ceived. Revised to date, including all ne\v species of birds. 15c, doz; $1, hundred. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. HIMALAYAN Rabbits. A limited number of fine specimens must be sold for want of room. Here is a baigain for any lover of pets, naturalists or fancier. Fine healthy rabbits, perfect markings, pair $1 to $1.5U ac- cording to age, etc. Write quick, supi)ly will not last long at these low prices. ORY L. FOSTER, 'lipton, Indiana. AN AD. in the December Aiui?tL3i will go to every civilized country on the globe. We intend to send a large nutnber of copies into all the European, Asiatic, African and South American countries, as well as the various portions of tlv South Seas. If you have any- thing you w^aut to sell or exchange, do not fail to send in copy at once, TO EXCHANGE with field collecters, nice- ly prepared eggs of following and one hun- dred other species in sets: Western Grebe St. Domingo Grebe, Tufted Puffin, Cassin's Anklet Booby, Cal. Clapper Rail. Ruddy Duck, Chachalaca, Red -bellied Pigeon. Inca Dove, Mex. Ground Dove, Snowy Plover, Whooping Crane, Sandhill Crane, White- tailed Kite, Deseit Spanmv Hawk, Golden Eagle, Cooper's Harris'. Fish, Whiie-tailed, Red-tailed, \\estei-n Red-tailed, Red-should- ered. Florida Rf-d-shouldered. Red-bellied. Swainson's and Duck Hawk. Florida. Texan and California Screech Owl, Florida Barred. Long eared. Burrowing, Great Horned and Western Great Horned Owl, Groove-billed Ani, Costa's, Anna's, Black-chinned and Buff- bellied Hummingbird, Pinon Jay, Bell's Spar- row, Thurber's Junco, Beiding's Marsh Spar- row. Canon. Green tailed and Abei t'sTowhee, Least Vireo. Western and Black-tailed Gnat- catcher, Lucy's Warbler, Verdin. A. M. IN- GP:RS0LL. 818 Fifth St , San Diego, Cal. THE MUSEUM. EXCHANGE. — Choice sets of Western eggs. Hawks, Owls, etc., to e.xchange for sets, coai- inon or otherwise of other localittes. E. H. KINCATD, Eoaiatas, Sau Diego Co., Calif. WANTED. — Anyone having extra tine min- erals or fossils in quantity, or second-hand Scientic Books to send list and what is de- sired in return. W. F. WEBB, Albion, jST. Y. STAMP COLLECTORS.— Our Gem Packet contains 75 good stamps all different, price 20c. For a short time we shall send with each packet a rare Confederate stamp on or- iginal envelope. THE STAMP ASSOCIA- TION, 3-352, Greenwood Ave., Station (i, Chi- cago, 111. TRY the Exchange columns of The Muse- u.M. The publisher has put forth practically no effort to secure exchanges or ads., having simply put one small ad. in a magazme of similiar character to this, to call attention of the public what he intended to i»sue. The number that have responded to this notice, is sufficient guarantee to any fair minded man of the faith of the collectors in the future of the Museum. It is to be the standard of in- tercouse among all collectors. Let me hear from you at ou'-e with an ad. for the Decem- ber issue. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. THE FOLLOWING Eggs, Curios, etc for sale cheap: Chinese letter paper, 10c; Chin- ese coin, 4; Chinese lottery ticket, 4; Chinese newspaper, 7: Eggs of House Finch, 3: Brew- er's Blackbird, 4; Cal. Shrike, 0; Barn Swal- low, 4: Bicolored Blackbird, 8; Cal. Murre, set of, with data, 18; Jew fish scales, large, 2; Castor beans in pod, 2; Succinea avara (Land Shell), 3; Limi)et Shell. 3c; Specimens sent postpaid at prices quoted, or the whole outfit for 35c, postpaic. extra. AGENTS ■WANXED. Oliver Spanner & (^, NATURALISTS. Wood Buffalo, Moose, Elk and Deer Heads. Northern Birds and Animals. Owls a Specialty. 358 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario. NATURAL HISTORY Specimens and Supplies SENT ON APPROVAL. The largest and most complete stock in America to select from, at Rock Bottom Prices. Eslimates and prices on large or small orders cheerfully furnished. Send for 1895 Catalogue. FRED W. STACK, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. NATHAN L. DAVIS, TAXIDERMIST, ALBION. NEV/ YORK. Birus and Mammals Mounted to order. Raw Hides tanned and made into Hugs, Boas. or Kobes. Prices very r('as()nl)le. All work i^uaraiiteed to please. When answering ads. mention Museum. THE MUSEUM. l/m) or m eK Chas. K. Reed, 262 Main Street, Worcester, Mass., The well-known Taxidermist and Dealer, has a complete stock of everything in the Naturalist's Supply and Spe- cimen Line. Prices lowest. Goods the best. All orders filled promptly. Send stamp for new Cata- logue. Mention you saw ad. in the Museum. ^.c^\^; m/i ^c?^c:?^c?^c THE MUSEUM. ijjiiiiiiiii 111- m Thankspvin^ Oiler of Birds El_ Between now and Christmas I shall offer Tiirds Eggs of all kinds lower than ever before. Look over the foUuwinK. and the discounts offered and send in your oi'der atouce All are strictly tirst- cla>s. Data accunipanies sets only. Discounts: Parties sending $1 hill ni:iy select eprgs to the amount of ?fl '.'."). Send *:i and select et?frs to the value of .'f-i.fiO. Send if;! and select eirgs to value of i.'ii). Send W and select eKjzs to value of $(i.r>(). Send $") and select egirs to value of f 8.. t(). Send $S and select egSfs to the value of $If) or send $10 and select eggs to the value of $2r>. All are sent pre- paid. In addition to above discounts, parties sending f.'i.OO order or over, will be entitled to a years subscription to the MrsEU.M, free. See ad. elsewhere. Pied bill Greebe $ Fuftin Murre Piilif. Murre Kittiwal>ri)ior«nt Fana lone Cormorant White l-elican I$if)un Pelica7i BUif wing 'J'eiil B.irrows Golileneye Whooping Swan' .. Amer. Flamingo White Ibis White face Glossy Ibis Wood Ibis Amer. Bittern r.east Bittern Amer. ^':gr^•t Si!f)wy Heron Lfiuisiana Heron Little Blue Heron Green Heron Bl'k. crown. N. Heron King rtail Pora Kail Virginia Rail , Corn Crake P'lfrida Gnlllnule Amer. Cf)Ot Kup. Snipe Dunlin Willet Bart. Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper La [(Wing Oystercafcher Hobwhite Ti'.xan Bobwhite Fla. Bobwhite Calif Partridge Prairie Hnn S;iife (Jrf)use Chachalaca Ked-bill Pigeon White-wing Dove Me.x. Ground Dove Mouruiui' Dove Turkev X'ultnre Black Vulture Cooper's Hawk lied tail Hawk fJray Sea Eaele Mei'lin Kestrel 10 30 40 40 08 10 '25 .^0 .=.0 I 00 20 lif, ,S0 ■10 sr, :20 Tr) I .-() 1 00 I flO 1 00 75 SO :^o 15 12 ]'3 12 I'i 20 la 12 20 10 00 25 35 40 .so 15 15 •3^ 15 10 10 15 '20 75 m 20 fO 05 75 75 30 51) 2 00 30 25 .Sparrow Hawk Amer. Osprey And. Caracara liOng-earOwl .Screech Owl Tex. Scref'ch Ov\l . Burrowing Owl Ron d ruuner Yellow-bill Cuckoo Black-bill Cuckoo Baird's Woodpecker Gold-fronted AVoodpecker Flicker Nighthawk Western Niglltha<^•k Texan Nighthawk Ruby-throated Hummer... Nests of Bummer, asstd... ."^cistail Flycatcker Kingbird Crested Flycatcher Mex. crested Flycatcher... Phcebe Wood Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Western Flycatcher TJttle Flvcaicher Triiills Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Skylark Prairie Homed Lark Amer. Magpie Blue Jay Amer. Crow Fish Crow starling Bobolink Cowbird Dwarf Cowliird . Yellov.--he;u1ed Blackbird.. Red-wiuu- Hbickbird Bicolored Blackbird Tricolored Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird - Purple Grackle Grt^at-t;ill Grackle Bronzed (Jrackle House l''iuch American (ifildlinch Arkansas Goldfinch Ch'stn't-coll.'iredLongspur Vespi^r Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Ijirl< Sparrow Western Lark Sparrow I 'hipping Sparrow Fieli". THE MUSEUM. 15 a single white egg, with seldom any other marks excepting perhaps a few obsolete scrawls or spots, and a gener- al bluish or brownish tint upon the otherwise white shell. My notes, add a few remarks which may be of interest; "A great trick of the Labradorians is to get a greenhorn to stick his hand into one of these burrows of the bird when the bird is supposed to be within. If you exam- ine carefully the bill — of horn, nearly two inches in length and about the same in height — you will see that a most alarming pair of forceps may be thus put into motion, and, as the bird is one of the fiercest of its kind, can readily imagine why the \-ictim never repeats the experiment. The number of birds that I saw on Greenly Island was simply immense, and could never have been counted. I have often seen the water covered with a clustered flock, all engaged in making the hoarse, rasping sound that has been mentioned before, and is not unlike the filing of a saw, that is made by both the Auks, and which gives all alike the name of "gudds." When on the wing I seldon if ever saw them mix with other birds. Though they appear in large numbers at stated times, they disappear or rather disperse after breeding almost as suddenly as they came; yet stragglers do not leave until the harbors are nearly if . not quite blocked with ice. At Greenly Island, although there is a large fish canning establishment, houses, and a lighthouse on the North- east end, these birds occupy the other side unmolested and are seldom inter- fered with by gunners; yet the island, is scarcely three-quarters of a mile long and even less than half a mile wide. The flight of the Puffin is as swift as an arrow. It has no notes that I could percieve. Then in the water it is oblig- ed to rush over the surface some feet, flapping its wings and apparently pad- dling vigorously before it can gain suffi- cient impetus to take flight. When sitting sentinel-like on some rocks, pre- vious to taking a downard plunge into the air to wing, it reminds one greatly of pictures of Auks and Penguins, which birds they greatly resemble in many re- spects. We found the breasts of this bird when made into a soup and boiled thoroughly not bad eating, though much tougher than were the Auks we tried. The Nesting Habits of the YelJow- billed Tropic Bird. The Yellow-billed Tropic Bird (PliaetJion flavii-ostris) better known to the Bermudians as the Boatswain Bird, is an abundant representative of the Bermudian Avifauna. My first ac- quaintance with this bird was on Au- gust 2d, 1894. When about 10 miles from Bermuda I was greeted by a pair of Tropic Birds flying over the steamer uttering their peculiar cries. The Boatswain Bird, I was informed by Mr. Hayward, lighthouse-keeper at St. David's, arrives in the Burmudas about the latter part of March and re- mains until about the 25th of August, when they gradually disappear. Al- though distributed all around the is- lands, I know of no place where they are more abundant than on the islands in Harrington Sound. Trunk Island, of comparatively small area, seems to be a favorite resort, a$. i6 THE MUSEUM. it was here that I found more nests than all those which I observed else- where. On the shore of this island are a great many crevices among the rocks, which form the nesting places of this bird. I found two nests not more than a foot apart, and each nest had its bird sitting on an egg. This would have made a fine picture for * 'The Museum, " but unfortunatel}- I had left my camera at the house. The eggs are laid on the bare ground unless anything is handy with which to line the nest. The bird never lays more than one egg at a setting and has several settings each season. The eggs are chalky white, thickly spotted with chocolate-brown becoming more dense at the larger end and often presenting a smeared appearance. In some spec- imens the color varies from a reddish brown to purplish chocolate, but the predominating color is chocolate-brown. The average measurement is about 2.23 .\ 1.53 in. The measurements of three specimens are as follows: 2.24 X 1.50, 2.19X 1.54, 2.26 X 1-53 in. re- spectively. The first was found at the entrance to the Shark's Hole, along the shores of Harrington Sound, in a hole in the rocks about five feet from the water. The second was found on Trunk Island, in Harrington Sound, in a crevice in the rocks. There was nothing in the nest for lining except a few feathers of the old birds. The third was also found on Trunk Island under a pile of large rocks which had fallen down and formed a place for a nest. This was lined with some weeds and a few feathers. The birds lay at least two eggs in a season and probab- ly more as there were a great many young and a few eggs examined when we made our visit to the islands, which was very late in the season. The birds are very reluctant in leaving the nest, in fact the\' will not leave until removed by hand. I tried to get one old bird off the nest by pok- ing her with a stick, but \\ ithjout avail. They are not very nice things to han- dle, especially if they can get a chance to use their sharp serrated bills. I used a hand net which I threw over their heads, and getting them tangled in the net, managed to remove them from their nests. The young are gray in color, in fact they are gray all over, feet and bill, and present a striking ap- pearance, looking not unlike balls of cotton. One of the members of our party and myself tried to get a photo- graph of two youngsters, but they were so young and unshapely that when the picture came out they had very little re- semblance to any thing except a bundle of cotton. Both the male and female have two long tail feathers, but in every speci- men which I saw there was only one which I suppose was due to moulting. The birds have a graceful airy flight and fly very low at times nearly touch- ing the water. While my trip to the Islands was rather late in the season for collecting, I managed to get a few specimens of birds and eggs. The Bermudian government, I believe, im- poses a fine of 5/" on the offender for each bird killed. B. l^UCKliXHAM, Chestnut Hill, Phi la., Pa. December number will contain a fine illustrated article on Pacific Coast Starfishes. Don't miss it. THE MUSEUM. 17 THE MUSEUM. A Monthly Magazine devoted to Ornithology, Oology, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Mineralogy and Allied Sciences. Walter F. Webb, Editor and Pub'r, Albion, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest on above top- ics, as well as notes on the various Museums of the World— views from same, discoveries relative to the handling and keeping of Natural History material, descriptive habits of various species, are solicited from all. Make articles as brief as possible and as free from technical terms as the subjects will allow. All letters will be promptly answered. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Single Subscription $1.00 per annum Sample Copies 10c each ADVERTISING RATES. 1.5 cents per Nonpareil line each insertion. Twelve lines to the inch. Advertisements continued three months or more. 13 cents per line. Si.x months or more, per line, lOc. Twelve months or more, per line, 8c. Cash miist accompany all orders. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Post Office Order or Registered Letter. Unused U. S. Postage Stamps of any denonination accepted for small amounts. The ll. 00 Columbian stamps, unused, will be accepted at rate of $1.7.5 each, WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION. ORLEANS CO., N. Y. NOTES. We had the pleasure of a personal call a few days since from Mr. C. P. Wilcomb, Custodian of the Golden Gate Park Museum, San Francisco. He is about to loan his entire collec- tion of eggs to their museum. Also Mr. L. I. McCormick of the Glen Is- land Museum of Natural History, New York City. Mr. McCormick intends to spend the winter in the Mediterra- nean collecting. Prof. Henry A. Ward also called on us just before go- ing to press. Prof. Ward, as [many of our readers know, is at the head of the famous Ward's Natural Science Establishment at Rochester, N. Y. , the largest of its kind in the world. He starts in a couple weeks on a big collecting tour, stopping at various points on the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Calcutta, Singa- pore, etc. We doubt if there is an- other man in the world with as wide experience as a collector, having crossed the Atlantic 28 times on simi- lar trips to this one. We here extend an invitation to all Collectors and Teachers coming near Albion to stop off and see us. We are easy of access, having moved the entire business of the late Lattin & Co. into new quarters in the village, the old concern being located two and one-half miles north in the country. We are glad to "take care"' of all who can come. Having had various inquiries as to where F. B. Armstrong had gone, the publisher of the Museum having recently bought his entire stock, will say; he is hard at work collecting prob- ably as fine a lot of birds as have ever been taken in Mexico. The bulk of his stock will be advertised in later issues. Messrs. Scuthwick and Critchley report a fine specimen of American Egret killed at Seaconnet, R, L, Oct. 12, also an immature Duck Hawk at Newport, R. I., Oct. 10. Both birds are very uncommon in that section. Mr. Kirk B. Mathes, formerly with Lattin & Co., has gone to St. Augus- tine, Fla. , where he has opened a high class Art and Curio Store. Any one desiring any relics or Florida i8 THE MUSEUM. Curios from this the oldest city in America, can probably get them by writing Mr. Mathes as we know him by experience to be of unusual amia- ble disposition. Mr. E. Raymond a Taxidermist of Flint, Mich., writes that he has just had sent into his shop a large Bald Eagle which measures from tip to tip 7 feet and 3 inches. From base to tip of mandible 3.^ inches. From tip of tail to tip of mandible 3 feet. Weight 10 pounds. The bird was taken near Flint and gave the farm hand who captured it a lively tussle before he succeeded in killing it. It had been wounded by some gunner, and had evidently flew as far as it could. We shall be pleased to receive and publish at all times, records of rare finds in the Ornithological line. — Such items are often of great intereat. Atlantic Coast Star Fishes. The Eastern coast of our country, while not so prolific in forms of sea life as some of the more tropical coasts, is nevertheless quite as interesting as any with which T am familiar. Order I. OpiiiURuiDca. One of the first fam- ilies to claim attention, is the faniil\- Oi)hiuroidea, a group of star fishes Inn- ing a more or less sharply defined cen- tral disk, containing a digestive cavity, whirli (Iocs not pass into the arms. In this resi)ect they differ from the true Asteroidea. There is no opening at bottom. The arms have a number of arm bones, resembling vertebra:^, each of which is made up of two sections- The axis being usually covered with, plates or sometimes with a thick skin having rudimentary plates beneath, and the side plates of the arms usually are covered with teeth. The nerves are located inside of the arms, also what is called the ambulacral vessel of the water system, which I will explain lat- er on. The water feet are simply small fine points without suckers at their tips. Each of the five angles^ of the mouth, is formed of five pieces, or arms. The extremities of these mouth-frames are firmly fixed to a jaw, and attached to the inner edges of each pair of jaws is a narrow plate, which supports a number of processes, which doubtless serve the purpose of teeth. The general arrangement of the water and nervous systems is on the ordinary star-fish plan. The enlarged portion in the center is the body cavity and sur- rounds the digestive tube. The various species of this family are rightly considered the most beau- tiful and delicate of all the animals of the sea. Many are covered with spines and marked with beautiful col- ors, arranged in bands and spots; others get their beauty from the grouj)- ing of their armor plates, but in \\hat- ever wav produced no one will admit the\' havc^ an\' supi'i'ior in Natures grc^at ocean wonderland. They are commonly called Serpent Stars and by reference to cuts, one sees the serpent like appearance at once. In all cases they are delicate creatures and do not like to l)c> interfered with. In fact, some when taken from the water, will snaji arm after arm from the body un- til in some cases onlv the central disk. THE MUSEUM. 19 is left. Thus in case of danger rather than give up the whole body to some greedy fish, they give over only a part thereof. The little animal really suf- fers but little from this loss, for nature soon heals over the wound, and a new arm grows out in place of the old. It is not uncommon to see an Ophiurian with three or four arms and one or two just sprouting out. During their earl\- stages they pass through quite a met- amorphasis. The young is a free swimming animal but in the course of growth it becomes sluggish and settles to the bottom, where it ever remains afterward as a creeping creature. It is very commonly found among the tangle and eel grass where its protec- tive coloring affords it a safe retreat. They rarely have over five arms. There are now over 500 described species of this Order, about half of which are found between low water mark and thirty fathoms, and the bal- ance between thirty fathoms and one thousand, or more. One of the commonest along the Massachusetts coast is Ophiomusium armigerum, and another longer spined brought up in deep sea dredging in large numbers by the U. S. Fish Com- mission, the past few years. Ophiopholis aculeata of Bay of Fun- dy, often called Brittle Star, is a very common species. It is of a reddish brown color, and covered with short flat spines. Usually three to four inches in diameter. Astrophyton Agassizii of Maine, the only species of the family Astroph}'- tidea that we will mention here, is more commonly called Basket Fish or Medusa's Head. The species lacks the protective plates of those noted above but have in place of it a thick variety is Ophiomusium Lymani, near skin in which are imbedded rudiment- Cape Cod. This variety has been ary plates. It also has no arm spines. 20 THE MUSEUM. or mouth shields. The terminal branches, however, are often computed to be several thousand. The\' are found on the various islands south to the Bahamas. Mature specimens measure from 9 to i ahama and Florida species, Orcastcr reticularis. Ever}' one has seen this mammoth species, as large across as a half bushel measure, and full}' si.\ inches thick. They are usually to be found in the markets of most of our large, cities, being sold, however, sim- ply as a great curiosity. It occurs on both sides of the Atlantic. The upper surface is reticulated by the crossing of the hard p)arts of the skeleton, and beautiful ornaments are made b}' re- moving all the softer parts and leaving only the latticed skeleton. A few words with reference to col- ecting these specimens of the might}- deep, and preparing them for scientific study, and I will close. I can do no better than quote from W. T. Horna- day's excellent ' 'Taxiderni}- and Zool- ogical Collecting:" "Of course when first taken from the water they are limp and pliant, but after standing in an alcohol bath for a short time the\' become perfectly rigid. If left to them- selves when thrown into spirits, the smaller and more serpent like species persist in tieing themselves \\\) into double bow knots and insist on keej)- ing themselves so forever. Since the way to cure a Star-fish is to soak it in alcohol f(jr from six. to twent}'-f(Hir hours according to size, and then dr\- 't flat and in good shape, it becomes necessary to pin the small ones firml\- in shape upon thin boards befcM^e im- mersing them, and then tlu-\- will sta\- where you put them. See to it that while in spirits, all your Star-fishes large and small, cure in proper shape, fiat and with each arm flat and extend- ed in the right direction. After re- moval from the spirits, pin out those not already fastened upon boards, and let them dry. I have never found it necessar}' to poison the spirits, for the reason that dermestes and other insects seem to respect a dried Star-fish for his own sake. " It will be impossible to dwell further on these interesting forms of Sea Life as I have already occupied more space than assigned to me. I trust that the brief remarks given, to those who have never studied these families, may be a stimulus to greater effort along this line. Notes From Interior of Mexico. Just before the last form of the Mu- seum is to go to press, we have a line from the well-known taxidermist and collector, Mr. Frank B. Armstrong. The letter contains many very in-^ teresting points relative to his present field from a collector's standpoint and shows up also quite vividly the class of people one would have to associate with and live among in a summer cam- paign in Eastern Mexico. I can do no better than quote Mr. Armstrong's own words: "After eight years of diligent field work on the lower Rio Grande in Tex- as with good success, and having ex- hausted most of the rare finds in that section, and further after having thoroughly mastered the Mexican lang- uage I determined to change my field of operation to a more virgin land. After considerable travel throuirh Mex- THE MUSEUM. 23 ICO I concluded to make my head- •quarters in Estadas de Tamanlipas. i am located on a ranch in the heart •of almost a wilderness but really a col- lector s paradise. Owing to climate, "vegetation, etc., I am satisfied I am within reach of all tropical and semi- tropical products, in the way of Nat- ural Science. I struck this country "with a set determination of bringing to science everything of interest and for the past few weeks have been studying bird and animal life in their peculiar haunts. It is a great pleasure to me to be in a new field where I can constantly look for new species of birds and mammals. Ne.xt spring I hope to secure a large number of eggs, many of which will be practically new to collections in the States, as Cop- pery-tailed Trogan and 2 or 3 do^en other species. Some of the more com- mon birds one meets with are Texan Kinglisher, Gnat Ivory-billed Wood- pecker, Great Rufous-bellied Kingfish- er, Motmots rthe birds that with their beaks trim off two of the long feathers in their tail for a space of an inch or so, making the tail look as if there was a tuft on the end), P>ecards, Inca, Doves, Goldfinches, Wrens, Trogans, Derby L'lycarcher, Parrots various kinds. Brown Jays, Mexican Crows, Ani's, Squirrels and a large fauna of small mammals. I am now making up a series of these. I hope in later letters to give the readers of the Mus- eum notes on some of my trips after birds, and some of the curious traits of these semi-tropical species. "To the north of my headquarters stretches immense swamps covered with shrubbery, coarse grasses and "Tular" as well as Malarial To the south runs the Tamesi and Paunco Rivers, and heavy forests, while to the west stretches the Sirra Madre range of mountains and table lands. Most any kind of collecting ground is within a few days journey on, as the Mexican's call it, God's own animal the burro, an animal well adapted to the country and people, who depend on him to do everything, even to liv- ing without food or water, subsisting on brush fences and rags. Here is the country where ants build wooden houses in trees and where everything that grows except the Ihirro has thorns on it, some of which are trained to hold you when you are following something rare or throw you down while another species stick you. This is the home of the air plant that will grow without moisture or tak- ing root on anything. "Here also live a race of people who harmonize with nature except on some the thorns are replaced by scales. Nature has learned these people a good many things, viz: That it is al- ways best to put off until tomorrow what you can as well do today and never provide for the morrow. It will take care of itself. If they haven't got anything to eat some neighbor has and it is all the same. Food is easily got- ten. Fruit grows in abundance and by way of variety, corn can be ham- mered out into Tortillas (bread)' and parched corn makes good coffee. Red peppers grow in the yard and dried meat lasts forever, so what do they want.'' Clothes are hardly necessary although some of them do wear a few. Their houses are easily built out of poles and mud with palm leaves roof. With the aid of a little native music 24 THE MUSEUM. and their melodious voices they can make night as hideous as you please. They are always happy and glad to see strangers, and will accept anything you offer them or anything you care- lessly leave around. It is very pleas- ant to be entertained by a lot of them and they take great interest in your wares especially a freshly made up bird skin or something that can be broken in handling. They will stay with you at camp as long as your larder is full and will cheerfully allow you to bring all the wood and water, do all the work around camp, occupy your seat and put things where you can't find them. They know the names of all the birds and have them well classified as will be seen when I say they have the Woodpecker and Mockingbird in the same family. They seem to be glad they are living and really they ought for they want for nothing, except for more Natural- ists. A good collecting place is right among them as the birds and animals seem to come out of the thickets to mingle with the natives. Only a few days since a Jaugar carried off a burro near town in daylight. "I find a great many tropical spec- ies here whose habitat is given farther south, and so far many species that I have not been able to identify from the books of my own. These I shall hope 1o cover in a later letter. Glaciers of Greenland. The following entertaining and in- structive article from the pen of Prof. Thomas Chamberlain, head of the de- partment of geology of the University of Chicago, who accompanied Lieut. Peary's last expedition to the far north. recently appeared in the New York Commercial Advertiser. The study of Greenland glaciers, says the professor, has a specific bear- ing upon one of the most widespread and important of our geological for- mations. The larger portion of six- teen of the northern states and small- er portions of eight or ten others are covered by a mantle of clay, sand, and gravel, filled with bowlders transport- ed from the north. This mantle forms the sub-soil of about one-third of the cultivated portion of the United States and a very large part of its fer- tility is dependent upon this. The spreading of this mantle over these States very much subdued the topo- graphy and thereby rendered the con- struction of railway lines and other means of transportion easy and econ- omical where they would 'otherwise have been difficult and expensive, and in some cases impracticable. Many lines owe their existence to the smooth- ing down of the surface brought about by this formation. The explanation of this deposit, which is know as the "drift," has been one of the most difficult problems of geology, and probably more has been written upon it than upon any other single topic in the whole range of sci- ence. It was formerly attributed to great floods sweeping down from the north. Later it was quite generally referred to icebergs floating over the region during a state of submergence. It is now generally attributed to gla- ciers that are believed to have covered nearly one-half of North America, reaching southward as far as New York, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Kan- sas City. It is only in Greenland and THE MUSEUM. 25 the Antarctic regions that glaciers of such vast dimensions and of like modes of action are now found, and of these, Greenland offers the only accessable field of investigation. Hence the im- portance of studying its glaciers as a means of eludication of one of our most important and interesting geo- logical formations. Evidences of like action are found in both countries. .For instance, gla- ciers in moving over the surface rub away the soil and sub-soil land break up and carry along with them more or less of the rock below, and in doing this they score and groove and polish the underlying rock surface in a way altogether pecular to themselves. They thus engrave their own record — their autobiography, so to speak — and we have only to decipher their lan- guage to read their history. The ma- terial that is carried along by them is also rubbed, bruised and scratched, and more or less ground to powder, and when the action ceases this mate- rial is spread out upon the surface or heaped up into ridges alone. All these characteristics are abundantly display- ed in both countries, and it is quite clear that the work that is now being done by the glaciers of Greenland is of the same nature as that formerly done upon a large part of our country. This implies great changes in our climate. The climate of Greenland probably formerly prevailed over our northern states. Glaciation is, how- ever, a very strange phenomenon, and we do not yet know all its mysteries nor the full range of conditions that render it possible. I examined four- teen glaciers in the northern district, •and three on Disco island. In a more general way I saw something of three or four score others, but can hardly be said to have examined them. It should be understood that nearly all these are tongues, or lobes, of the great inland icecap of Greenland, or of local icecaps, and that the study of these icecaps was an important part of my work. I visited the inland ice and had the good fortune to have the guidance of Lieut. Peary in a trip upon the main icecap, in which we went sufficiently far to get a typical view of the great fields of the interior. My studies were, however, chiefly on its margin, as it was most important to me to ascer- tain what was the nature of the base of the ice, and its methods of erosion, transportation and deposition. The glaciers of the Alps, and of mountains generally, are chiefly formed from snows accumulated on the upper slopes in lofty amphitheatres or in the ravines or gulches that crease their peaks. These creep down the valleys, often joining similar streams from adjacent valleys. They may be likened to the branches of a tree, gathering into a common trunk. The glaciers of Greenland, on the contrary, chiefly spring from an icecap, which covers the whole interior. From this icecap tongues creep out in all directions. Instead of several snow fields gather- ing to form one glacier one snow field sends out many glaciers. The great icecap of Greenland puts forth some hundreds of glaciers. There are, how- ever, glaciers of the Alpine type in Greenland. One of the most obvious character- istics of most of the glaciers I studied is their termination in vertical faces, 26 THE MUSEUM. even when they end on the land. Most known glaciers slope down to a thin edge at their extremeties. These commonly, not always, end in vertical cliffs of ice lOO to 150 feet high. The sides also are frequently vertical. By reason of this they reveal many fea- tures that are usually concealed. I have never before seen glaciers that presented such admirable facilities for investigation as those of this northern region. The most striking structural feature revealed by those vertical faces is the pronounced stratification of the basal ice. Not only is the ice definitely bed- ded, but the rocky and earthy mate- rial which the glaciers carry in their bases is arranged in layers. In some cases the layers are twisted and com- forted, and in others they are shoved over each other. The detailed study of these gives many clews to the mo- dus operandi of the ice action. The rate of movement of the ice generally is very slow. In a few of the more vigorous glaciers, where action is con- centrated and intensified, the move- ment is considerable, but on the aver- age it is probably [quite safe to say that the movement of the ice border is less than a foot a day, probably less than a foot a week. It is certain that the ice once extended some dis- tance beyond its present border, but I think I have good evidence that it never completely overwhelmed the coast region, at least, not in recent times. I am confident that it never extended across Ijaffin's bay and Davis' straits to the mainland and formed the center from which the glaciation of our country was derived, as has been held by some geologists. The glaciation of our country must have had a center or centers of its. own. I discovered a small driftless area on the borders of Bowdoin bay, a phenomenon which has a very im- portant bearing upon the former ex- tension or rather non-extension of the • ice. I know of no other region that offers superior or even equal facilities for glacial study. The great variety of 'glacial forms and freedom with which the structure is exposed make it an extraordinarily rich glacial field. The available season is short, the dis- tance great, the obstacles considerable, the dangers something, but to the ear- nest student of glaciation it offers re- wards that fully justify all expense and risk. I would only recommend it, however, to serious investigators, fully aware of its contingences and adequately prepared to meet them. The immediate district of Inglefield gulf presents at least four great series of rocks. At the base lies a complex mass of crystalline rock of the granitic, or more strictly, gneissic class, probab- ly of Archaen age. On the peninsula east of Bowdoin bay there are quart- zites that closely resemble those of our Huronian period. Overlooking the crystalline rocks unconformably there is a series of red sandstones prob- ably 1,000 to 1,500 feet thick. On. this lie light grey sandstones, probably 1,500 to 2,000 feet thick. Over this again lies a series of thin, brownish sandstones and shales that perhaps reach 2,000 to 2,500 feet in thickness. All these are traversed by dykes of igneous rocks, cutting them in various, directions. No fossils have yet been found in any of these rocks and hence their ages. THE MUSEUM. 27 are not known. Judging from the bowlders which the inland ice bring out to its border the interior of Green- land opposite this region must be oc- cupied by crystalline rocks, probably of Archaen age. The specimens brought back from Cape Farday and Clarence Head by the party that visit- ed Ellesmereland show that sandstone and shales, as well as granite and ig- neous rocks, occur there also. Some Common New England Rocks. One of the most common rocks throughout New England is Mica Schist. It is probably next to gneiss the most abundant rock It is chiefly composed of mica, but has thin layers of glassy quartz, which are short and overlapping. While it usually con- sists of mica and quartz, it may be composed of mica alone, or kaolin and clay, sometimes take the place of the quartz. In this case, however, the mica is usually very fine, and the rock is what would be called clay slate. Also when the mica becomes deficient, the substance passes into an ordinary quartzite. Quite frecjuently we find feldspar present in the mix- ture. There is probably no other rock that contains such a large variety of beautiful accessory minerals as mica schist. This makes it one of the most interesting and attractive rocks for the mineralogist. Also, few rocks are so distinctly stratified; and the stratifications can- usually be ob- served in hard specimens. The mica may be either muscovite or biotite, or both, but the former is most common. There is probably no other rock that shows a greater variation in the per- centage of silica which it contains as mica schist, for as above noted, we find it from almost all mica to almost all quartz. A rock that is closely re- lated to mica schist is hydromica schist, in which the ordinary anhy- drous mica is replaced by dydromica. It is easily distinguished from mica schist by being somewhat softer, less harsh to the touch, and less lustrous. Gneiss, is the most important of all rocks. It probably forms half of New England and a very large propcrtion of the earth's crust. The name (pro- nounced the same as nice) is known to have orginated among the Saxon min- ers, but its precise derivation is lost in obscurity. It is usually composed of several minerals, the most common of which is pink feldspar-orthoclase. By close examination we find also small quantities of quartz, which usually fo/ms in small irregular, glassy grains, entirely devoid of cleavage and scratching glass easily. On weath- ered surfaces, we find the orthoclase soft and chalky, while the quartz remains clear and hard. It has usually been considered that the three main constituents of gneiss was orthoclase, quartz and mica,, but it is now recognized that he may have true gneiss without any mica, and that the latter may be represented by hornblende. When the gneiss is composed of quartz and orthoclase, it is called ■binary gneiss. When it con- tains mica in addition to the above, we call it micaceous gneiss, and of hornblende, hornblendic gneiss. How- ever as noted above, orthoclase usually comprises one-half of the rock. In addition to the above minerals, we frequently find as accessory minerals. 28 THE MUSEUM. the following : garnet, cyanite epidote, librolite, chlorite, tourmaline, etc. Other rocks will be noted in future is- sues. Gaineland is a beautiful magazine for the general household. E. Leav- enworth of Wilkesbarre, Pa. says of it: "Never have I invested money which brought me more satisfactory returns than the sum I paid out for Gavieland in the past. It is an authority; it is excellently gotten up; its air of inde- pendence in the views expressed is re- freshing, and I would be perfectly will- ing to pay three times the price asked for it. I take five other publications touching upon, hunting, angling and natural history, but am really unsatis- fied until Ganieland reaches me. I would sell my last cartridge and fish- hook to sret it. " WANTED! Fine Warbler Skins, As well as other small bird skins from west and north- west. Can offer fine exchange in eggs, mounted birds, shells, curios, etc. Send lists. Have fine Elk Head, mounted, for sale, $40. N. L. DAVIS, Box 80, Albion, N. Y. WE WILL PRINT :tn.l mail you fine white WtJtldiug liristul Visiting Cards, iu imitation of engraving, for l-i^ cents per dozen. lOU Letter Heads, 40c; lOU Envelopes, 40; 100 Cards, 40c. Everytliing else in proportion. A. M. i:ddv, albiox, n. y. The MustUM is from our presses. Ill II 1 1 1 1 1 1 ill I lilil 1 1 11 ill I 111 1 1 1 1 ii 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 1 1 1 II i ill 1 1 III I II 1 1 II III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ill II IJ 1 1 1 1 1 1! 1 1 ill 1 1 1 III 11 g The Best Blower ever nicide furnisliiug a strong, steady How of air for Blowing Eggs, Testing Minerals, Jew^elors' Solderiugs.etc ^PRICE $1.50.-^ Extra Pipes, large or small, 1 5c. Hand Bulbs, 35c. Air Bulb, 6c. Give it a trial and you will use no other. Sent i)repai(l for 10c. additional. Address, WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N.Y. iiH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 i II i 111 I i i i itiiiiiii i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iiiii iiiii J iiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiii 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ill n 1 1 n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i iiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiniiiniiiiB THE MUSEUM. 29 SOMETHING NEW! Send Jj5»5 ;iii(l we will seni' you 1,") sjimpie.s of t)in" lunv Papier IVI.uMie R'>ck. Stump auti f-iiovvy work. Suitable for Canar- ie.s. Ducks, Squirrels, elc. We are in w iiiLrodueitig theiii. WE MANUFACTURE Pcipier Maehe Half Heads fur llw^ Wcu-k. Our New Collecting Tuijc Onttit $4.00 Currier's Tanning i''hiid, tans skins— try al)Oltlc 1.00 GOOD BOOKS. Davie's Taxidermy, Hornaday's 'J'a.xider- my *-3 50 Coues' Kt'y 7.00 Kidu;ew;iy's Manual 7.00 Davie's Nests and Eggs 1.25 OUR SPECSALTY. Glass I'^yes. Taxideniist's T<>t)ls. i^atura list's Supplies. BiRDS EGGS. BSRDS SKINS. Mounted Specimens. Land and Marine Cut ios. IVew Catalogue now in press. FEANK B. WEBSTEK CO., MUSEUM, HYDE PARK, '. MASS. Illustrations Tell a Story! THE LIHIil{.\L USE OF HALFTONKh TX ^^' Nidlologlst Proves inlinitely attractive and valuable to Ornithologists, 0(")logists, Taxidermists and artists. Presenting each month about six illustrations or page plates (dii'ect from life) of birds, nests and nesting places, togethei- with articles fi'om our best ol)servers and writers, scientific but popular. Weareright- fullj' recognizeil as covering, in sjdcMidid style a uuiqe field. ■'Uulike most of the cognate publications of this country, and France and Germany— partlcnlarlv Ger- many—The NiDiOLOGiST is not insnlferably dnll Ou the "contrary, it is sincnlarly brisht and attractive, textual ly and eraphically. and yet strictly, and indeed severely, scientific in fact a model xmbli'catiou of the km(\. "— Yof/cfhirfi Post, Leeds, England. •■Worth double the present sutecription price."— Harold Holland. "Yon can count me as a life subscriber. Words fail to express my appreciation."— Benjamin Hoag, Steph- entown, N. Y. The price of the Nidiologist is still but $1 per year fin advance) incIuding./Vpe exchange notice. Volume II commeucetl with Septem- ber, 1894. Sample 10c. A(ivertising rates low. Remit to H. R. Taylor, Publisher NiDioLo<4isT, Alameda, California, U. S. A. N. Y. Omce— Ron Taylor. loOFiftii Avenue. Bird Skins O I-roni tlie interior of «» ® eel MM— ^^^i\>vJ^ • e I have just received tine specimens of Mexican Birds, many of wdiich are on our A. O. U. list and cannot be secured from any other quarter. As nearly all the liirds here- tofore taken in Mexico have gone directly to some large institution or private collection. I feel sure that a large percentage of our American codec tors will be glad of the oppor- tunity of securing these rare specimens at reasonal)le prices. I can only list a few that I am able to identify at siglit. The balance will be listed nest nujnth. Mexican Jacana $ 75 (iuat. Ivory-billed Woodpec^ker 5 00 Pileated Woodpecker 1 50 Great Rufous-bellied Kingfisher 2 00 "Papan Real" -'Mexican Name' 2 00 Paraquet, tine 1 25 Blueci owned Mctuiot 1 50 Rose-breasted Becaid 1 50 J Ilea Dove 1 CO Waglers Oriole 90 Mexican (ioldhnch 75 Creen Woodpecker, rare 2 00 Texan Kingtishei' 1 OO Derby Flycatcher 1 00 Yellow-headed Parrot 2 00 Autumnal " 2 00 Mexican Goshawk 1 25 Brown Jay 1 50 Mexican Crow, (very small) 90 Groove-bill Ani 75 I have various Hawks. Parrots, Trogans, &c. that are not yet indentitied but will he ready on receipt of jour i-ard, asking for same. W. F Webb, Albiox N. Y. FOR SALE. A very large collection of Postage Stamps including full set of Colandiians unused and many rareties. Will send out approved sheets to parties giving Al references or cash de- posit. EUREKA STAMP Co., Albion, N. Y. WANTED.- A first-class Indian Skull, with Teeth, etc. Send descrip- tion v\'ith lowest ca=.h price. F. L. DAYIS, Box 80. Albion, N. Y. When answering ad^. mention Museum. 30 THE MUSEUM. It is . Natural A that you should purchase Glass Eyes, Skins, Eggs Taxidermists' Supplies, etc., where you can obtain them the cheapest. Why not compare the prices you have been pay- ing with ours? You will tin 1 that you have been paying too much for cert lin things. O'lrcatalogue will explain to all this and tell you many things in regards BABBITT'S Tan. (U.sed by hundrels of furriers throughout the country.) ^^ Babbitt's Auxiliary Barrels. (With and without Extractors.) Our .stock of Glas.s Eyes is complete. We are agents for one of the largest maimers in England and there is no reason why we cannot give entire satisfaction Send for catalogues, list, etc. JAMES P. BABBITT. TAXIDERMIST. Wholesale and Retail Dea.ler in Supplies, Tools |, . ;iir1 .Sjjecimeus. y^ TaUNTON. MASS. ^J "When answering ads. mention Museum. Rare Japanese and Iidlan As niauy who read this notice are aware, tlie finest .shells come from Japan, China, Lower Pacific and Indian Ocean. To get the finest specimens and greatest variety one has to, at a great expense — get them direct from these localities — 1 have only recently received heavy consignments from my Ea.«t India and Japanese collectors and am prep.ired to quote reasoual)le rates. In fact 1 will dupli- cate and in most cases cut under any Dealers prices Will send out on approval against Cash Deposit or A 1 references to those inter- ested,as I feel sure I have just what you want in this line. My stock is very large and from ])resent advices from Ihe East bound to be larger in the future. All specimensare scien- tifically labeled, locality, etc., and can be furnished in natural state, cleaned or polish- ed. Advise just what you want and in what (luantity and the matter will have immediate attention. Space will not permit listing any here, but Special Bargain l^ists will be sent on applicaticjn. Remember I can furnish in unlimited ({uantities of many species, having thousands of a kind. Address, WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. and you will receive iny new SEND 15c. STAMPS NORMAL CATALOGUE of all Europeau-palaiarctic bird eggs, in over OOO numbers, with prices and number of sets for each species. HERCDANN ROLLE. INSTITUTION FOR NATURAL HISTORY, BERLIN N. W., EMDENER-STR. -1, GERMANY. Wlien answering ads. mention Museum- The Kombi Camera S3.50. Is a combined Camera and Graphoecope. Makes a picture this size; IW sijuare, round, or fancy shape. Takes 25 pictures in one loading, snap shot or time exposure. The size of the Camera is If'axa inches. Weif^ht, 4 oz. CJarry in your pocket. All metal, sliver- bronze llnlsh. Any Boy or Girl can use it. Every instrument guaranteed. Inde- structible. Tlie Kombi complete, $3.50. ures) , 2U cents extra. Cost of developing roll of tilm, 15 cents. Cost forprintlng, 1 cent f or each picture. ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FREE. If notlfor sale by your dealer, the Kombi will be stnt to any address, on receipt of price. AI.FRED C. KEMPER, 20H Eake St., CHICAGO, II.L. strip of tUm (25 expos- THE MUSEUM. 31 Hijoetfafs, ScijenjtijfijG and deiijeili l@@)ks„ Dr. A. E. Foote, 1224-26-28 North 41st Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U. S. A. (NEAR MEMORIAL HALL.) The Septeuiber nuniTier of the LeisuheHouis not only contains the revised Price List and abbreviated descrip- tions, giving composition, color, hardness, fusibility, crystalization, streak and lustre of about one hundred, new .species discovered within the past two years, but also the fullest description in the English language of the beautiful new species. Boleite and I'umenzeite. illustrated with a number of figures, and much other valuable scientltlc matter. ^ ,, . The price list is /V«e and my Catalogue of Minerals and Mineralogical Books, 138pages, IS sent free to all in- tending purchasers who request it on headed paper and to all customers, to others pos'„-paid on receipt of five cents, heavy paper ten cents, or bound in cloth, a,o cents. (Price-list alone free, or heavy paper 5 cents-) It is profusely Illustrated, and the printer and engraver charged me about $1,30J before a copy was stuck; off. By means of the table of species and accompanying tables, most species may be verihed. The price list is an excel- lent check list, containing the names of all the species to 189f. and the more common varieties, arranged alpha- betically, and preceded by the species number. The species number indicates the place of any mineral in the table of species, where will be found the species name, streak or lustre, cleavage or fracture, hardness, specific gravity, fusibity, and crystallization. Collection of Minerals for Students, Amateurs, Professors, Chemists, Physicians et al. The collections of 100 illustrate the principal species and all the grand subdiTisions in Dana's and other Mineralogies ; all the principal Ores, &c., &c. The first hundred includes every ftpeciea in the list advised in Dana's Manual, and species like Wulfenite, Vivianite. Labradorite, Datolite, Titaulte, that are especially advised by Brush. Nason, Eglestonor other writers on Mineralogy and blowpijie analysis; also other species like Turquois. Azurite, Microcline and Wavelite that are important. The second hundred includes the re- maining varieties advised by Dana, and most species advised in text-books on Mineralogy and blowpipe work. Specimens ia collections from Ic to $1 each accord- ing to size and quality. The free Leisuke Hour also gives lists of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth hundreds all of which, consid- ing their character are the cheapest collections ever sold. SCIENTIFIC BOOKS The largest stock in the World, especially on Ameri can subjects. Lists on light paper sent free, and ."ic for e ach 32 pages on heavy paper. Please specify the subject in \\'hen answering ads. mention The Museum. which you are interested. SEND ROR ITT struments and a 25c egg, FOR ONLY 50 CENTS. The (JJKtine.^t Oiilogists' Outlit consists of one VVhitcMetal Blower,one »;;, anil ,'„-„ drills, one 4^ in. EnduTO Hook and one lead pencil, all ])laced in a neat box with sliding cover. This outlit i.s gotten out for beginners and cannot fail to please. It usually retails from 50 to 75c. My price 25 cents prepaid — For 10c extra or 35c I will put in a neat pad of Data Blanks. WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. An Open Letter to You. I wish to call your attention to one fact which, were you person- ally acquainted with me, might not be necessary. It is this, viz: The Museum has eome to stay. You will agree with me that there is no magazine of this char- acter east of the Rockies, that pretends to be illustrated. You will also agree with me that the illustrations are of scientific interest I also feel that you will agree that 12 numbers like this one prepaid are worth $1.00. The next step then is to put a $1.00 greenback in a letter and address to the publisher. Yon may say that it is common practice for all 'yearling" maga- zines to say, "We have come to stay," etc, and that I guess I will wait six or eight months and see how it pans out then. To these doubters I will add — Send on your dollar and if you don't get twelve numbers in the next twelve months as good as this one, you can have your money refunded. In forthcoming numbers I propose to have some finely illustrated articles on other Land and Marine Curios, Mollusca, Minerals, mainly crystalized forms of special interest, Palaeontology, etc. In fact, no matter what you are interested in I shall give you a great big $1 worth. If you are not in the least interested in the maga- zine you will do some friend a favor as well as myself by handing same to him, Fraternally, WALTER F. WEBB, Publisher, Albion, N. Y. VOL. I. NO. 2 DECEMBER, 1894. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted Exclusively to Research in Natural Science. RATES: — $1.00 per year to all countries, in advance. Single members, 10 cts. Published the Fifteenth of Each Month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. 33. WANTS, EXCHANGES AND FOR SALES. All notices that come under above will be inserted in this department until further notice^ at one-half (i) cent a word. No notice less than 2oc. Terms Cash with crder. No charge for address. I shall at all times endeavoi- to keep paities, whose reputation is of a doubtful char- acter fi'om using these columns. A WONDERFUL OFFER! Any person sending me either a 15, 30 or 50c. Columbian Stamp, used, I will send, in returo, aline specimen of the Tarantula's nest. C. M. HATFIELD, South Pasadena, Cal. FOR SALE.— Sixty Acres Land. 1,100 bearing orange and lemon trees. Also man- go, shaddoc and giape fruit, and other semi- tropical fruit. Twelve room cottage with water service. Three room tenement. Mile of Gulf and half-mile of Lake Fine fishing. GEO. D. WOOD, Sutherland, Fla. I HAVE sets and singles of this locality to exchange for foreign eggs and eggs of other localities. All letters answered. Want to subscribe for good papers on Oology; Orni- thology and Natural History. Publishers please send sample copv. FRED J. BULE- MORE, Oak Orchard, N.Y. OLD ciCOINS for sale. A complete set of U. S. cents, from 1793 to 1894, every date and several varieties in set, also half cents, dimes, nickels and half dollars, sixty ditfereut dates, and a large collection of foreign coins. Some very valuable— 2,000 or more. W. H. (iUS- TIN, Albion, Orleans (^o.. N. Y. CLAIMS.— Any persons who have accounts against undersigaed, send particulars at once for full settlement. Persons indebted to me will oblige me very much by promptly attend- ing to same. The Waverly Packet: — 1,000 well mixed stamps are contained therein, in- cluding 200 varieties in separate envelope for only 4Uc. This is the best and cheapest pack- et ever put up. Exchange: — I will give 100 varieties of nicely selected stamps for every perfect arrowhead sent me. 1 have a good many articles on hand which I would like to sell or exchange. Send lists. Corresoon- dence solicited. HENRY BEAUMONT; JR , Box 77, Nashville, Tenn. FOR SALE.— Gould's Hummiug Birds; a monograph of the Trochilidte; hundreds of gorgeously hand coloi'ed plates, each a work of art. Five volumes, imperial folio, green morocco, super extra, tooled sides, eJges and inner margins. Magnificent copy. Price $225. Address, P. G. MARCH, Fern Bank, Ohio. STAMPS.— 100 varieties foreign fctamps,12c; 50 varities, 7c; 200 assorted, 12c. These are rare bargains for beginners. My specialty, net Approval Sheets at lowest discoiin* rales. This plan enables me to place stamps of all kinds and prices on same sheet. No other system admits of it. Unequalled for both the beginner and more advanced collector. A trial solicited. H. M. GILLEI, Lebanon Springs, N. Y. WANTED. — Old guns, pistols, swords and daggers, complete or incomplete, for a private collection. Will pay cash, or exchange miner- als, shells, bird skins and eggs. Works on all branches of Natural History and Indian rel- ics. Have also three old grandfather's tall clocks in splendid condition for sale or in ex- change for tire arms. E. P. CLARK, M. D., Morrisville, N. Y. FINE first-class sets, great variety, for fine U. S. and British Colonial stamps. Sheets of good stamps sent on approval to parties giv- ing good references. W. C. JONES, Brad- ford, Mass. FOR EXCHANGE.— A parlor 15 ball pool table. Size with complete fixtures, viz: — 16- balls, 5 cues and triangle. Will exchange for best offer in eggs or specimens of any branch of Natui'al History. Best offer takes. W. A. OLDFIELD, Port Sanilac, Mich. PHEASANTS FOR SALE. English or- Chinese. Pure Golden Farrier and Mottled Farrier Pheasants. Also Black Astrichan Fowls Write at once. H. A. BRUSH & SON, Milton, O. FOSSILS.— I will give one shark's tooth for every arrow point sent me; or two for sets of eggs valued at ten cents or over; a large pet- rified boue for every scraper or knife; large animal vertibra? for every celt or good relic; or for eggs valued at 50c. Fossil horses teeth, clams petrified wood. etc.. for relics or eggs. GEORGE H. PEPPER, Tottenville. Staten Island, N. Y. A BARGAIN.— I have a No. 1 Kodak load- ed for about sixty exposures and in good con, dition, with russet leather carrying case, that I will .sell for only $12 cash. Cost $25 when new. R. V. N. DAVIS, 55 Park St., Rutland- Vt. STAMP COLLECTORS. —In foreign coun- tries, send 25 to 50 good stamps of your coun- try and receive same value in U. S. stamps. Or send approval sheets, marked at standard prices, and receive mine. To U. S. Collec- tors: I have a nice hand camera, size of pho- tos. 4x5. .-(.St $10, fi>r sale cheap. WALTER G. MANSUR, Box 714, Pittsfield, Maine, U. S. A. PURCHASE and Exchange Notice.— I de- sired to exchange with all foreign collectors, first-class clutches of birds eggs in any quan- tity. South Sea Island eggs purchased for cash, especially eggs of Albatrosses; also will buy at fair cash rate such species as Night Jar, Honey Buzzard, Duck Hawk, rare Fal- cons, etc. C. W^ CRANDALL, Woodside. Queens Co., N. Y., U. S. A. 34 THE MUSEUM. FOR SALE for $15 cash, one Winchester 6 shot repeating shot gun, 12 gauge. New. W. A. OLDFIELD, Port Sanilac, Mich. dFORSALE.— My collection of 31 different varieties of eggs withi-eliable, data. By send- ing a stamp, anvone can obtain a list of the eggs. Address HUGH HAKTMAN. (55 Maple Ave., Fort Wayne, Ind. APACHE Indian relics, 25c each. Won- derful Arizona Cactus Wood, 10c, silver. Largest tiealers in Indian baskets in the U. S. Will exchange. PERRY WILLIAMS, Justice Peace, Maricopa, Pinal Co., Arizona. TANNING LIQUOR.— For tanning all kinds of Mammal Skins, new lot just matle up per qt. by Express, $1; gallon jug, $3. Prices on large quanties on application. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE.— Fine sets of 311, 410, 396, 719b, 188, 602, 200, 477a, 593c, 314, 319, 335 and many others. Send on list of any tine sets you may have. Will exchange sin- gles of above for other rare singles. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. FOR SALE. — A beautiful copy of Johnson's Natural History, in two volumes, gold edges, full Russia Leather binding, etc. 1500 pages and over 1500 life-like engravings. Not soiled in anyway, and a complete Natural History from Man. through all the divisions.classes and oi'dei's to the animalcules in a drop of water; also showing the habits, structure and class- itication of animals with their relation to Agriculture, Manufactures, Commerce and the Arts, by Hon. S. G. Goodrich and Prof. Alexander Winchell, L. L. D. of the Univer- sity of Michigan. The high standing of the authors render it unnecessary to give further remarks about the work. It will be sent pi'e- pnid to any address for $12.00 WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. AS I INTEND spending next summer at ecem- ber issue. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. -j 894 BIRD SKINS at bed rock prices. Beautifully made up with full data and guar- ranteed perfect in every respect. Rose- breasted (.iiusbeak. 25c; Hhie-winged Warbler 35; Scarlet Tanager, 40; Prairie Warbler, 25; Baie-headt-d Vireo, 25; Louisiana Water 'i'liru.-h, 40; VMiite-ejed Vireo, 20; Yellow- breasted Chat, 25; Wormealing Warbler, 50; Hooded Warbler, 40. And a large stock of others at corresponding prices, list for 2c stamp. Also eggs, shells, minerals, Indian rt-lics, at tirrs, monnted heads, curios, etc. Send 50c for sample skins of three species of Warblers A. H. VERRILL, New Haven, Conn. 36 THE MUSEUM. ffturM^Si ^^^>rrZ^/^ ^!^ S^HO §f S#FOR cow T^3<1D E R^^ A^^^M EVERYTHING "^mlM^.: "^ 262 Main St.A^^^^ v;^^M.z/c. THE A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Research in Natural Science. Vol. I. ALBION, N. Y., DECEMBER 15. 1894. No. 2 An Ornithological Paradise. Some Observations Gleaned from a So- jonrn or. the Famous Farailone Islands. By C. Barlow, Santa Clara, Calif. I have been asked to give the read- ers of "The Museum" an accurate and comprehensive account of bird life on tfie wonderful Earallone Is- lands, and while I am aware that much has been presented on this sub- ject, I believe there is much more to be learned. There is a fascination in visitmg the homes of the sea-birds on the rocky, iso- lated cHffs, and while the surroundings, of collecting along the creeks and in woodland are lacking, there is much to interest and instruct. The South Farailone Island, which is the only accessible one of the group lies about 35 miles out in the Pacific from San Francisco, and if one has pecured the necessary permit he then may take his chances on catching an out-going tugboat, which usually cruises out as far as the islands, in search of vessels bound in. The Farailone Island be- ing centrally located has been the most popular collecting ground to or- nithologists, but each summer collec- tors became more numerous, restric- tions placed on granting permits, and one is indeed fortunate to secure, at the present day, the permission which will entitle him to a landing on the is- land. Myself and friend were in San Fran- cisco the middle of June but found that no boat was to leave the follow- ing morning, so we spent the time as best we could. However we had as- surance that on Sunday morning, the 17th a "tug" would go out, so we ac- •cordingly camped on and about the wharf, for "eternal vigilance" is the price of catching a boat bound for the Islands. Si.x o'clock found the staunch tug steaming toward the Golden Gate. The morning was one of those clear ones seldom to be encountered at sea. As we got well off the mainland sea birds began to appear, but soon a dense fog shut out the scene and no bird life was visible excepting a lonely albatross which swept about the boat now and then. Soon the shrill voice of the fog siren on the Island came to our ears and a few moments later a long blast from the stentorian whistle of the tug announced to the inhabi- tants of the Island our arrival, and presently the cliffs loomed' up out of the fog. A boat put out and we were shortly landed and were among the vast rockeries of Sea Fowl which were screaming on all sides. The South Farralone is about one mile in length and one-half mile wide at its broadest part. In places it narrows down to a mere neck of land. Throughout are peaks and elevations which the keepers call "mountains" but in places are flat areas several acres in extent which extend to the ocean. On these flats are rocks and bowlders and the bleached bones of birds and rabbits. There is not a tree of natur- al growth on the entire island but in spring a pulpy weed known as "faral- 38 THE MUSEUM. The Great Arch. 15'J ft. high, tenanted by Muires and Cormorants. lone" weed carpets the island. Aside from the birds there are many inte- resting features to be noted. On some of the rocks adjoining the island are herds of sea-lions. Rabbits, too, are to be seen on every hand scurrying about among the rocks. The light- house which is one of the first order, towers above all at the summit of the highest peak — 320 feet above the sea and its flashing light can be seen many miles. There are also caves of interest at various points ot the island and an immense natural arch through which the sea rushes, which is at least 100 feet high. In winter I am told that the sight of the breakers is grand beyond description and the spray has been known to go over a rock 200 feet high. For ages past the different Sea Fowl have come to the rocky cliffs to nest each year and it would be a hope- less task to estimate their numbers. There are ten species of birds that or- dinarily nest on the Island — Tufted Puffin, Cassm's Auklet, Pigeon Guille- mot, Cala. Murre, Western Gull, Far- allone, Brandt's and Baird's Cormo- rants, Ashy Petrel and Rock Wren. The Cala. Murre greatly exceeds in numbers any species inhabiting the cliffs and nests in rookeries, usually near the summits of the peaks. For years their eggs have been collected for the San Francisco markets where they meet with ready sale as they are twice the size of a hen's egg and are used by bakeries in the manufacture of pastry of all kinds. The Murres are peaceably inclined and are much imposed upon by the Gulls who steal their eggs ac every opportunity, In two visits to the island I have never succeeded in finding a young Murre, but it is probable that the Murres suc- ceed in hatching their eggs late in the season when the eggers have ceased to collect. On the west end of the Island is THE MUSEUM. 39' W. H. Osgood and one- what is known as the "great rookery*." The entire side of an immense peak is covered with Murres from base to summit. In collecting these eggs the eggers take great risks and often be- come careless. Frequently they go down a damp, slippery cliff by a sin- gle rope which, should it break, would precipitate them onto the rocks far below. The eggs of the Murre pre- sent extraordinary variation as to ground color and markings extending from white through varying shades to a deep green. The markings are of- ten very beautiful. It is of couse, probable that an individual Murre al- ways lays an egg of the same type. In connection with the Cala. Murre it is proper to mention the Western Gull which is the great enemy of the * We have reproduced a photo of this i m mense rookery, but at the last moment decid-- ed not to use it in this number as the quality of paper is not fine enough to warrant good results. (Ed.) half c ay's •'spoils."' Murres and Cormorants. Indeed were- it not for the depredations of the Gull these birds would live in comparative peace whereas, now, it means the loss of their eggs if they are left^unprotect- ed for a moment. The West. Gull is the only Gull which nests on the island. It nests chiefly in colonies on the level portions of the island, although a few pairs may be found almost anywhere. The nests are loose affairs of farallone weedt and average perhaps a foot across. Usually they are very shallow and are given shape by the hollows in which they are constructed. If unmolested I am sure the completment is usually three eggs, but constantly robbing has^ the effect of reducing the size of the sets at times. The eggs match well with the gen- eral color or the rocks and are often not to be seen unless one is in search 40 THE MUSEUM. of them. They present great varia- tion as do all Gull's eggs. In my se- ries are eggs ranging from almost white to intensely dark ones. During the nesting season the Gulls become quite tame and I secured several by sitting down on the rocks waiting for them to fly over. Perhaps the least approachable of all are the Cormorants. They nest in rookeries largely but almost any iso- lated cliff will be found to hold a few nests. The Brandts and Farallone varieties are much alike in size but differ in the color of the gular patches. In the former it is blue and in the Farallone species it is yellow. When the latter are flying high in air this patch is easily discernable. Both these Cormorants nest in large rook- eries usually on a sloping bluff or hill- side which commands a view of the surrounding territory. In one rookery of the Farallone species I estimated there were about 200 nests. They were placed in irregular rows and were about a foot apart. They measured on an average nine inches across and Typical nest and \vere shallow, being composed of sea weed and farallone weed. They were compact and more or less cemented by the guano. The Cormorants are easily alarmed when they have fresh eggs and if a few of the rookery take wing all will follow and after circling for a few moments in the air they soar out over the ocean and settle in a compact flock, where they remain until the intruder has disappeared. During the summer the eggers pass these rookeries every other day and every Cormorant th-at is in view will take wing when the Gulls speedily break the eggs and eat the contents. It seems strange that these foolish birds will return day after day to their of the Western Gull. despoiled nests. Three or four eggs are usually laid and sometimes five. I took a set of six eggs of Brandt's Cormorant in 1892 but they were too badly incubated to save. The eggs of the Farallone and Brandt species are not distinguishable. Baird's Cor- morant nests at most in colonies of half a dozen pairs, usually selecting some almost inaccessible cliff. Often the nests are built in a niche in a per- pejidicular cliff. The nests are small- er than those of the preceding species and are deeper and more compactly put together. I have seen nests nine inches high, but these had evidently been inhabited for several successive seasons. These birds select the wild- THE MUSEUM. 41: est most picturesque places wherein to construct their nests and some which I examined must have been within reach of the spray in rough weather, for they were built on the sides of a little cove. The eggs are smaller than eith- er Brandt's or Farallone's and are blu- ish-green in color with a thick chalky depositcovering the shell. Seven eggs of this species average 2. 13X.90 inches while a set of four eggs of the Faral- lone Cormorant average 2. 37 x 1.53 inches. I have frequently found three eggs incubated, and believe this num- ber constitutes a set as often as four. I will here relate an incident which' tends to show the instinct and natural love which bird mates have for one another. I saw a Baird's Cormorant sitting on the the edge of its nest in a niche of a perpendicular cliff perhaps, fifty feet up and wishing to secure a specimen shot it, supposing it would fall outwards to the ground. Instead it fell back into the nest and could not be secured. While passing this cliff' the following day the dead bird's mate was seen sitting by the side of the A bit of shore - The rock in the ocean is completely covered by Calif. Murres, but is unapproachable . nest, frequently craning its neck down as if imploring its mate to join it. It was one of those pathstic scenes which one sometimes has occasion to witness in bird life. We came upon a rook- ery of young Farallone Cormorants, which embraced 30ung of all sizes, each seemimg to vie with its neighbors in presenting an awkward appearance. In their endeavors to avoid us a num- ber of the 3'Oung birds worked them ■ selves to the edge of the cliff and were found dead at the foot later. Strew- ed about among the nests were nu- merous small fish which I took to be sardines. The oder arising from the rookery was anything but pleasant. Thus far we have spoken of the birds which nest largely in colonies,, but the pleasure and variety of collec- ting lies not in these rookeries where one might fill baskets with eggs in few moments, but it is rather in climbing about the cliffs peering into the bur- rows and crevices that one experiences the pleasure of sea-bird collecting. The Tufted Puffin and Cassin's Auk- let are somewhat allied in manner of nesting, and both are usually found in the same locality, though the Auk nests in all situations about the island. The Puffin is at once noticeable by its for- midable appearance as well as its strik- ing plumage. It is found on the high- er rocks and will not allow of close ap- proach. They are very vicious when -42 THE MUSEUM. captured and are said to bite to the bone if once they secure a hold. One egg is laid, which is of a . dull white color usually marked with a few indis- tinct lilac or brown under shell mark- ings, although occasionally eggs are found which have quite a heavy wreath about the large end. A series of these eggs exhibit great variation as to shape, size and coloration. The eggs are de- posited in burrows in the cliffs, with a little weed sometimes used for a nest. The Auklet is a fairly abundant spec- ies on the island and prefers the lower portions on which to nest. Here it is found in deserted rabbit burrows be- neath the rocks and in all probability it often excavates its own burrows. It also nests about among the cliffs re- sorting to any crevice or tunnel in the rocks which may offer a dark retreat during the day, for it is nocturnal in habits. The single egg laid on the bare ground is large for the size of the bird. Seven eggs from my collection average i. 8 ix. 31 inches, and vary in shape from equal-ended to sharply pointed. The burrows occupied by the Auk- lets are usually filthy, and are easily discovered by the odor which arises. On June 19th a small colony of young Auklets was discovered, the birds rang- ing from a week old to almost full grown, although all had more or less down on them. The "Sea Pigeons" or Pigeon Guil- lemots are among the most interesting of the birds. They are lovers of the sea and prefer the rocks near the surf when not incubating their eggs. We were fortunate in discovering a rookery of these birds, and had it not been late for fresh eggs a splendid series could have been secured. The hill at the summit of which is the lighthouse, is very steep and the cliffs at the top are more or less honeycombed with bur- rows in which the Puffins and Auklets nest. Farther down is a stretch of loose shifting chips of rock while near the bottom are numerous bowlders, some of gigantic proportions, under and between which are cavities in which the Guillemots nest. As one approaches this rookery many of the birds are seen sitting upright, softly "whistling," but upon close approach those on the rocks take wing while their mates flutter from among the rocks and join them. Then by a care- ful search of promising looking cavities one ma}' secure a nice series. These eggs are to my mind the handsomest of any of the Farallone eggs. In a series before me are several types. Some have a bluish-green ground color, intensely blotched with dark brown es- pecially about the large end with deli- cate markings of lilac throughout. Others are evenly spotted with small dots of cinnamon-brown and lilac. Again another type has yellowish ground with light-brown splashes and lilac-gray, while a third set is plain bluish-white. Two eggs usually constitute a set but in a number of cases one egg was found badly incubated. No nest is constructed in which to deposit the eggs but almost invariably the eggs re- pose upon a collection of small granite chips or pebbles gathered by the birds. Both birds assist at incubation, and I have a male bird taken with a set of two eggs. The rookery described is not near the ocean but many of the Guillemots nest in holes in the cliffs above the sea. At any time groups of birds ma\- be seen gathered on the THE MUSEUM. 43 Tocks near the surf. I have noticed young ones so close to the water that the spent force of a "roller" would almost wash them away. The young- Guillemots are prett}-, fluffy, black lit- tle fellows but they usually keep hid- den beneath the rocks for they seem to inherit that instinct which warns them against exposing themselves to the cannibalistic Gull. We come now to the rare Ashy Pet- rel [Oceanodronia HoinocJiroa) which I treated at length in the Nidiologist for August, 1 894 and which I will not repeat. They nest throughout the is- land preferably beneath stone piles on the ground. They fly about only at night. One &^^ is laid which is of a creamy white color both before and after being blown. It is usually but very faintly spotted about the large end and often wholly unmarked. I have but one &gg which is well marked and it has a wreath about the large end composed of irregular dots of light reddish-brown. The eggs of this Pet- rel average considerably smaller than those of Leache's. The measurements of seven eggs are as follows, the ex- treme sizes being given first: I.06X.89, 1.22X.89, 1.2OX.89, 1.2OX.87, 1.19x86, 1. 1 3x. 89 and 1. 1 ix. 87 inches. When one is tired ofscaling the cliffs it is indeed restful to study the spright- ly little Rock Wren [Salpiiwtcs obsolr- tus) as he flits about among the rocks. The island in general is an admirable place for a bird of its habits. At al- most any time during the day the beau- tiful, liquid song of the Wren may be heard from out the barren stone piles as he busily seeks his food. The nest- ing habits of this bird are most interest- ing. The nests are built generally in some deep crevice in the stone walls which extend over portions of the is- land. They are composed of fine shreds of farallone weed matted to- gether, with a few feathers intermixed in some cases. One nest at hand is lined with horse and goat's hair. They average three inches in diameter and are loose affairs as a rule. The nests being concealed in the stone walls are very hard to discover. I was most successful by walking along the walls and watching closely the crev- ices from which a bird would fly. In the middle of June but two sets of fresh eggs were found, but several nests were discovered containing in- cubated eggs and small young birds. In one place the young were learning to fly. I am informed that the Wrens begin nesting late in April or early in May and I have two sets of eggs taken in August, from which I infer that pro- bably three broods are raised in a sea- son. The habit of paving the entrance to the nest with chips of rock, bleached bones, etc. , is well known. Mr. W. Otto Emerson of Haywards, Cal. , who has collected extensively on the islands has a nest wdth its "ornaments" which is most interesting. Six or seven eggs ' constitute a set early in the year, but the late sets consist of five or six us- ually. These constitute the breeding birds, although the American Raven {Cor^'us corax si)utatHs) is present on the is- land and a pair have a nest on an in- accessible cliff, but no one has thus far succeeded in securing the eggs. In June a few Black Turnstones were were seen on the rocks near the surf, and Mr. Osgood noted a Yellow Warb- ler. In winter and spring numerous land birds are noted about the island 44 THE MUSEUM. and Hawks prey on the Murres to a considerabe extent""'' When the time came for us to take leave of the island, in justice to the benevolence of our host, we partook heartily of the feast of boiled Murre's eggs, a delicacy of which those of the "Far East" know not the delights! The penalty was paid later when we set sail in a small fishing boat for "land" and after seven and a half hours' on the briny deep the lights of the metropolis hove in sight and our enjoyment and miseries alike were at an end. Natural Preservation of Leaves, Ferns, and other Vegetable and Animal Remains. J. HoBART Egbert, A. M., M. D.Ph.D. During a recent trip through south- western Missouri the writer found a most interesting deposit of calcareous tufa and secured a number of beauti- ful specimens. Calcareous tufa is a rather widely diffused mineral owing to the large number of calcareous springs — in the neighborhood of which it is most frequently found. A description of the deposit in question may serve as an interesting key to similar mineral formations and also render the explan- ation of our observations and analysis more entertaining. Well up in the mountains of Cedar Co., Missouri, near the border of Polk Co. we found an insignificant little- spring, the water of which after reach- ing the surface incrusts animal and vegetable remains and congeals masses of dried leaves and other debris over which it flows, into a stoney mass. * "Birds atul Efrcr.s From the Farallone Is- uiids," l)y \\;iIt«M- F. Ui-y;iiit. The water emanating from the spring- flows down a steep incline and seems to make its most abundant mineral de- posit about twenty-five feet from the spring. The process of incrustation takes place quite rapidly — it simply being necessary for a bunch of dried leaves, or other vegetable or animal debris, to remain in a pool of the water or in the current of its flow a few months ere the entire mass is solidi- fied— each particle of vegetation, etc. entering into the mass, preserving its characteristic form and outline. The process, as I observed it at intervals during a period of five weeks on a sel- ected bunch of dried leaves, begins by a slimy deposit on the surface of the dried vegation, which deposit continues to increase in size and density until each leaf is well preserved in a hard and somewhat thickened condition — its outline being maintained, even to min- ute detail. All leaves and debris that remain in the water-course — which has no definite boundaries but spreads out over the hard soil of the mountain side — are likewise treated and those that are collected in masses become united together by a spongy deposit which ul- timately dries and hardens. Thus in a single mass one may find leaves of all the trees common to the vicinity — oak, ash, sycamore, etc. ; also ferns, broken twigs, and feathers of birds. As already mentioned this mineral deposit is known to geologists as cal- careous tufa or tufaceous limestone. In composition it is nearly identical with common hmcstone and marble, but is distinguished by its spongy and porous structure. A careful examina- tion of the deposit we have just de- scribed shows it to consist almost en- tirely of carbonate of h'me, \\-ith a THE MUSEUM. 45 small amount of clay. It contains neither magnesia nor iron except such as exist in the clay or foreign material. The carbonate of lime' is .'^deposited from the water of the spring after its carbonic acid gas is liberated, and the process of incrustation is accelerated by the spreading out of the water after reaching the surface of the ground and by the rays of the sun which play upon the mountain on this, its southeastern -exposure, during most of the day. The water of the spring is what is known as "a moderately hard lime water," is clear and sweet, and not objection- able for drinking purposes. In this part of Missouri — the south- western— both the student of. Natural Science and the collector of curios may find much to interest and instruct Indian relics are still to be found in considerable variety and numbers. In the district in question one may quite easily obtain quantities of arrow heads, spear-points, stone knives, fragments of pottery, etc. On one small hill, or mound, about eight miles east of the spring just described, we found a veri- table arrow-head factory. In the sur- face soil of this hill, white flint is very abundant and may be found in all sizes from huge rocks down to fine chips. On top t?he ground the chips are espec- ially numerous and upon inspecting these somewhat closely it was found that many of them had been worked into special forms. In fact, pieces of Indian arrow-heads were strewn all over the hill. Tips, butts, barbs, half- made heads, etc., could be picked up in numbers, but only a few unbroken and well-formed specimens were found. Imperfect spear points and fragments of other stone implements were also taken from the hills. From the abun- dance of these imperfect specimens and the dearth of good ones — as well as from the evidence of stone-working as maifested by the innumerable small flint chips — it is reasonable to con- clude that this was a favorite spot for the manufacture of stone weapons by a race of people now al- most extinct. The place is most fav- orable for camping. Just north of this hill rises another and between the two flows a beautiful stream of clear spring water. The space between the foot of the hills has, in places, a width of about 300 yards, in others, not more than 50 feet. This narrow valley with its trees and verdant grasses probably furnished the ground upon which the wigwams were pitched. Here the old men and young braves doubtless fash- ioned the hunting and war arrows and spears for the hunters and warriors of the tribe. Numerous Indian graves have been found on the adjoining hillside. 118 South St., Holyoke, Mass. A Shell Hunt Forty Feet Under The Sea. C. Hedley, Sydney, Australia. To widen the fairway of Port Jack- son (Australia), a submarine reef is being removed. An opportunity of going down with the divers employed thereon was kindly offered to myself and a scientific friend by the officer in charge of the operations. So tempting an invitation was, of course, accepted with delight. Often in imagination had we wandered on the ocean floor, peering into ghastly wrecks of ships sunk long ago, fighting with some huge shark or monstrous octopus, and gath- ering treasures of science or heaps of 46 THE MUSEUM. gold. Now our dreams were to come true and we were indeed to tread that fairy-land. We might not have the luck of the mariner in the song who "Fell overboard in a gale. And found down below where the seaweeds grow, Such a lovel} maid with a tail," but we should certainly pluck strange growths at the bottom of the sea as one might pick flowers in a meadow. A trim launch sped with us from Circular Quay down the famous Syd- ney Harbor, past bay after bay, some lined with wharves and shipping and some with trees growing to the water's edge, by rocks and white sandy beaches, past point and headland gay with villas and gardens, or sombre with eucalypt forest. So familiar was the scene to us, that we smoked and chatted, unmindful of its beauties, till we reached a flotilla of punts and barges moored near the Heads. After a cup of tea with the overseer, we prepared for our descent by divest- ing ourselves of boots, coat, vest and collar. A couple of laborers officiated as my valets dc cliambrc, wrapping me first in thick flannel socks, trousers and jacket, and then in a canvas over- all garment which left only the head and hands uncovered. The hands be- ing left bare, the sleeves were secured at the wrists by rubber cuffe and brace- lets. My feet were thrust into a pair of enormous boots, each sole of which was weighted with 25 pounds of lead. Bending my head, two men placed over it a huge diver's helmet and screwed it into a brass collar of the canvas dress. My costume completed by slinging on chest and back two large metal weights, I was told to rise. Thus encumbered, it was no slight ex- ertion to get up, take three steps to the- ladder, and descend into the water knee deep. There I halted while my signal cord was belted round my waist; my air-tube, which reminds me of a garden hose, was screwed to my hel- met and the pump commenced to force air through it. Einally an attendant screwed a plate-glass front, the size of of a saucer, into my helmet; from the inside, this last operation resembled the closing of a coffin-lid. Some one tapped my helmet twice, the submar- ine single for "all's well," and I started. Stepping off the bottom round of the short ladder, down I went, till the keel of the barge loomed up, rose and pass- ed me — down, down into the green sea W9.ter, watching the silvery bubbles stream upward — down, down, down, as the water darkened. That sensa- tion of gliding down into an emerald abyss, was the weirdest, dreamiest thing I ever felt. Then so gently did I alight, that I merely noticed that I had ceased to fall. At my feet I saw rock and sand and seaweed; looking up I saw a monster in a helmet with two ropes leading away upto where the sky ought to be. The monster's face showed through the little window as a big fair mustache and a pair of kindly blue eyes. Fetching out of a capa- cious trouscr pocket a small school slate he wrote, "How do you feel.^ Shall we go on.'" and held it up. Tak- ing his slate, I wrote, "First rate; go on." He read the message, gravely rubbed the slate clean with his finger, pocketed it, and held out his hand. I grasped it and wc started for a walk at the bottom of the sea. Then I noticed a pain in my ears; the compressed air was hurting me.. THE MUSEUM. 47- To cure it, I went through the motion of swallowing- once or twice. Feeling more comfortable, I "began to take notice," as they say of the babies. The light was bright enough to see small things plainly twenty feet away, but the water strangely magnified fam- iliar objects. A shoal of little fish passed us, swimming under our arms and between our legs in the most ridic- ulous way. I tried to take one with my hand, but it deftly turned and avoided my grasp. The guide, seeing my attempt, pinned one to the ground with an iron rod he carried, and hand- ed it to me; another he stabbed and caught as it swam by. Before we had gone far I had lost all sense of time, space or direction, and became too confused to know whether I had trav- elled east or west, ten yards or a hun- dred, in ten minutes or half an hour. A queer sensation was that of having escaped from the law of gravity; it seemed just as easy to walk up as down a cliff — we usually walked on our toes, sloping from the ground at an angle of forty to sixty degrees. When too much air is pumped down, the submarine pedestrian is unduly buoyant, and his aims to clutch a shell from the ground must be comically like the dodging and staggering of a drunken man. A little dell lay before us choked wdth rank seaweed, through which we strode waist deep like plunging into a tangle of fern in some damp valley on the land. My guide reached out, picked something off a broad frond, and handed it to me. It was a Doris, a lovely creature, whose like I never saw in books, striped with purple on a milk-white ground. It began to crawl over my lingers quite unconcernedly. I clapped my hands and tried dumbly to express my delight by patting my- companion's big fist. He replied by offering me the slate, on which I wrote "Very good; put him in the bottle." Rubbing out my words, he wrote, "Send down the bottle," tied the slate to the rope and jerked the latter four times. Away went rope and slate to the regions above. In response to an answering signal the slack was hauled in and my collecting-jar descended tied to the rope. In turn, we tried in vain to open it. Although our correspon- dents above had filled the bottle with water, the pressure at our depth so sealed it that we could not raise the stopper. With a message on the slate, "Open this bottle and send it down open," we sent the jar aloft. When it was lowered to us the second time, I found that my Doris had slipped un- observed through my fingers, and so I lost a possible new species, the rarest treasure I was to see that day. Continuing our travels in the dim water-world, we passed through a field of sponges. Not the brow^n, round masses of the bath-room, but radiant growths of scarlet [Raphynis hixoiii and Halicondia rndra)a.nd purple, here and there great open oscula, tempting one to poke in a mischievous finger. Some grew in tufts like moss, some ex- panded like a dainty vase {^Phyllosip- Jionia caliciforiiiis), some forked like branches of trees and some spread like a lady's fan. One abundant species, about the size and shape of an orange, was pure ice-white, studded with gold- en dots that almost glittered (Leucon- dra sp). Of all these we gathered what we could, pricking our hands sore with sponge spicules as we worked. Wlien, on the morrow, our ravished 48 THE MUSEUM. beauties lay dead on a table in the mus- eum, they had faded sadly from their pristine splendor. Among the sponges grew purple Boltenia packyderniatitia, a pear-shaped head upon a slender stalk, like tulips in an earthly garden. For a surprise, the diver held up be- fore my face and pressed an Aplysia. From it flowed a violet stream which Stained the water for two feet around, hiding hand and mollusk in the cloud. One of my last captures was an exquis- ite nudibranch, which swarmed on the broad fucus blades. In hue it was the blue of a summer sky, flecked with blood-red dots and stripes. I had now grown weary; not of searching for won- ders, but of supporting the heavy div- ing armor, and was content to be drawn up again to the world of airand and sunshine, which I had quitted three-quarters of an hour before. On reflection, I found the reward of my under-water foray to be, not a hoard of specimens, but a better ap- preciation of the circumstances under which marine life exists. Our party of four had only observed, dead or alive, Cliamostrca albida, Vola fujn- ata, Trigonia lamarcki, Sti'iitJiiolaria scutulata, Drillia ozveni, Cassis py- ruui, Cyprcea xanthodon, Astraliuin tciitoriformc, Ranclla Icucostoina, A- plysia kcraudrcni, Chroinodoris bcji- nctti, and two undetermined Doris. Molluscan life seemed, on the spot I explored, to be less plentiful than at low-tide mark. Perhaps, however, the difficulties under which I labored as a beginner in the art of diving, impeded me from finding what was really there. After seeing the rough sea floor, one wonders that a dredge should capture as much as it does. A rich harvest probably awaits a conchologist who should seriously practice diving as a means of collecting. — Nautilus. The Hermit Crab. This very curious little animal is one that always attracts attention when one visits the sea shore. Not unfrequently is he found occupying a fresh "live" (.'') shell showing that he has attacked and killed the Mollusk. To watch one crawling along the beach dragging the shell after them, is indeed a curious sight. They are most commonly found in the Naticas which line the Atlantic shore. Their structure is not unlike the common crawfish or fresh water crabs. The legs and feelers are always attached to the forward half of the an- imal, being the body proper. The jointed portion behind is called the abdomen. The head is a part of the body proper and is not separate from it as in the case of insects, etc. The abdomen portion is soft and has no trace of the hardened parts as in the case of the lobster. It can be i"eadily seen that as this portion of the body has no means of protection it would be but natural for the animal to inhabit some of the shells cast upon the beach. Its structure enables it to hold onto the shell easily but as the shell has no power of growth the crab from time to time has to vacate and secure new quarters. Congratulations. Waltku F. Weisb, Es^., Publisher, Albion, N. y. My Dear Sir: — Your flrst number of the "Museum" received, and I eongratulate you luost heartily. It is just what we naturalists of the East have needed for a long time. En- closed please lind one dollar for one year's subscription. Wishing you great success in your venture, I am, Very sincerely yours, Fred W. rAUKiiuitST, Att'y at Law. THE MUSEUM. 49 THE MUSEUM. A Monthly Magazine devoted to Ornithology, Oology, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Mineralogy and Allied Sciences. Walter F. Webb, Editor and Pub'r, Albion, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest ou above top- ics, as well as notes on the various Museums of the World— views from sanie, discoveries relative to the ■handling and keeping of Natural History material, descriptive habits of various species, are solicited from all. Make articles as brief as possible and as free from technical terms as the subjects will allow. All letters will be promptly answered. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Single Subscription $1.00 per anmim Sample Copies 10c each ADVERTISING RATES. 15 cents per Nonpareil line each insertion. Twelve lines to the inch. Advertisements continued three months or more, 12 cents per line. Six months or more, per line, 10c. Twelve months or more, per line, 8c.. Cash must accompany all orders. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Post Office Order or Registered Letter. Unused U. S. Postage Stamps of any denonination accepted for small amounts. The ll.OO Columbian stamps, rrnused, will be accepted at rate cf $1.7,5 each. WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, ORLEANS CO., N. Y. NOTES. We learn through the Batavia Nctvs of our own county, of the capture of a Golden Eagle alive in a brush heap near that place. The bird seemed dazed and was evidently sick as it was easily caught but died during the night. One of the most interesting exhibits we had the pleasure of seeing in the Mines and Mining building at the World's Fair was that of Mr. A. B. Crim, Middleville, N. Y. It was of the noted Herkimer Co. Quartz Cry- stals. The case contained over 14,000 in all the varied forms in which they are found. His ad. will be seen in this number of the Museum. Philadelphia collectors and those nearby should not fail to see the collec- tion of minerals, relics, etc. , now on exhibition at John Wanamaker's. It embraces a particularly fine lot of Crys- tallized minerals, especially Calcites and Barites, and a large number of polished Agates, Opals, etc. Two cases of stuffed birds, two of shells, and a variety of fossils and corals are in the same exhibit, which is well worthy several hours examination. We have a very interesting letter from J. L. Davison, the Naturalist at Lockport, N. Y. Mr. Davison has been sojourning up in the northern part of New York and reports finding some very fine pockets of the rare Cap- ped Quartz. Also a fine lot of Iceland Spar, Tourmaline, Tremolite, and par- ties desiring any of these had better write him, or address us and we wall see the matter has attention. Needed. Mk. W. F. Webb. Dear Sir: — Have received the first number of your Museum, and am very well pleased with it. We have long needed it in the East. Please allow me space in your magazine to remark, in connection with that Whip-poor- will article, that a friend of mine once saw a Nighthawk remove a single egg from the roof of a mill by means of its mouth. It had been frequently disturbed. Fraternally, Arthur M. Farmer. Well Pleased- Mr. Walter F. Webb. Dear Sir: — No. 1 Vol. 1 of "Museum" at hand today. Am so pleased therewith I en- close post-office money order for $1.25 for which please send it to me regularly for a year, and renew my exchange notice in Dec. number as printed in present number. W. E. Snyder, Naturalist. THE MUSEUM. Bird Egging *'Down Along." Editor Miisetnn. Dear Sir. I suppose that really, without intending it, I have become a veteran in affairs relating to that region so little known, to any of us in fact, called on your maps by the mysterious name of Labrador. I called it a mysterious name for various reasons. The French call it La Bras d' or, "the golden arm" or "the arm of gold" as stated in the November Museum. Some of the ex- plorers came over and loaded a ves- sel with those glittering flakes of mica, and the iron pyrites vulgarly known as "fools' gold," and returned with their valuable (J) cargo and any amount of stories of the wealth of the "New-found-land! "The Basque nam- ed it from a Basque whaler who sup- posedly discovered it, named Labra- dor. The Spanish named it from the word signifying a laborer, Labrador, or "one who lives in a small village." Now whatever be the correct deri- vation of the word the natives have a very quick way of getting over the matter. If you ask at almost any point from Mingan, or in fact from Quebec itself, to Ungava Bay where you are going when you go, presum- ably, to Labrador, they reply ' 'oh, Down Along!" What may mean al- most any place along the area of coast mentioned. Well, the editor has suggested that perhaps his readers would like to hear of some of my successes in egging in this same region of "Down Along!" In the year of 1881 I had what I then called phenomenal success in this same pursuit. I started from Quebec thoroughly equipped fora good time, and I had' it. My first stop was at Mingan, and off the islands near that place I found nineteen varieties of sea birds breed- ing in abundance. I do not know as they breed there now anything like they did then; but I believe that there are still many good places on those same islands where I could even now col- lect, in a day, from a dozen to fifteen kinds and a good many of each. Such birds as the Eider Duck, Black-back- ed Gull, Herring Gull, Razor-billed Auk, Puffin, Black Guillemot and Foolish Guillemot, could be found any- where, almost, that we were a mind to look for them. We used to eat these eggs, and I have often collect- ed a bushel basketful in less than half an hour. In fifty places between Min- gan and the island of Bell Isle I have done the same thing. They were so common that we thought nothing at all of it. These were the common kinds, that needed no hunting after. After these then there were the un- common kinds. By the ponds back a little in the interior we found the Black Duck with her brood, the Wood Duck sometimes, the Long-tailed Duck or "South Southerly" and what we called the "Scrater" Ducks' nests. The "First Ducks," we were seldom lucky enough to shoot and identify positive- ly the species. So I refrained from adding many a probably valued find to my list. The Loon's eggs were found, the Grebes' also, on many an occasion. The Red-throated Diver and the Common Diver used to puz- zle us, unless we could shoot the bird on or near the nest, which we did oc- THE MUSEUM. 5^ casionally. The Grebe was called there the Wabby, and rather rare, but they were somstlmcs taken. Rarely what we suppos:?J were Teal Ducks nests and eggs were found, ^ — but we were never certain of the spe- cies. In the straits of Belle Isle the King Eider's nest was found several times. Five to si.x species of small Gulls and Terns, but the birds did not always let us identify them. When the eggs themselves were distinctive it was easy enough. The cut of the end of Greenly Is- land in your last number, gives a very imperfect idea of the place. No one would imagine that there was soil enough for the birds to burrow from eighteen inches to two feet deep. But the picture represents a shadow picture, and in the relief of the shad- ow the burrows were so thick that a board a foot square could hardly be put on the ground, within the area of some three to four acres of land, with- out covering at least part of one or more burrows. I do not wish or mean to make this an "advertising dodge. " I ma}/ never visit this place again: where I have had so much sport; shooting birds by the hundreds, collecting eggs by the thousands, and fishing for trout at the rate of five hundred a day, and selling them at fifteen dollars a barrel (salted) and clearing a good handsome profit at that — but I would like to take a company of ten nice fellows who would put in $ioo apiece, from Que- bec to Belle Isle or beyond and re- turn. I would start June i and re- turn August I. I would go equiped for all sorts of investigation, espec- ially Geology. I want to study the Geology of this region. I send you a beautiful. picture of gla- Marain at the teiminus of a glacier ;l:dii where the glacier entered the ocean. Eight miles west of the Eskimo River mouth. cial terminal moraine at the bottom of Old Fort Bay, seven miles in the in- terior. The hills above have a height of from 300 to 500 feet above the sea. The ridge between the sea, and the lakes and valley beyond is as smooth and even as if cut by "sail and com- pass." 52 THE MUSEUM. Back in the country the lay of the glacier is evident and very decided. Three lakes form the resting places of the last of the ice. The slide down the bank was smooth as a planed floor and a splendid coasting place in winter. I have coasted over fifteen feet of snow there often. This was one of several arms of a larger arm of what, with the discoverer's and first describer's license, I call the Fort Is- land Glacier, because I believe that Old Fort Bay was mainly scooped out by this glacier for a distance of four miles, and that the ice went to pieces just this side of the before mentioned island. The moraine in the picture was evidently a recisioii moraine. Another glacial arm occurred at Cha- teau Bay, still another near Battle Harbor. At Blanc Sablon and a lit- tle north occurred the Roaches Moii- tonuies, or "Mutton, beetle, billow rocks" as they are called. I judge that the shallowness of the Straits of Belle Isle is owing, in great part, to the immense amount of glacial and iceberg debris hurled or dropped into it from time immemorial. But this is not hunting birds' eggs. One reason why ^^'g hunters are not more successful in this region is be- cause they do not go to work the right way to make their finds. To be successful one must become acquainted with a good natured, in- telligent and competent guide, and let him pilot you into the interior and tell •you what to do, where to go, and then ■you with your previous intuitive knowledge of your wants, go and^show him how to do the hunting up of nests. There are plenty of good finds to re- ward the diligent hunter And I be- lieve that many more than is gener- ally expected. May and June are the months. Take a boat and go all up and down the coast, in and out the bays and harbors, among the cliffs and crags. Who likes dredging.' I have many a time promised myself a trip for this one object alone. Insects, lichens and even the generality of shallow sea animals have been scarcely touched as to collection. Fossils are plenty in many a locality. All this along shore simpl3^ The interior is a "new" col- lecting ground. If you can fight the black flies, (the inarin gojii iis I be- lieve the French word for them is) your visit will be well rewarded. A windy day is the only time to go in- land. If the wind dies down and finds you there, I pity you, if your exper- ience is at all as mine was. If we found the young of Wilson's- Black Cap then why not find the nest and eggs.' The Hudson Bay Tit- mouse likewise. So also with the Pine Grosbeak, Rusty Blackbird, Canada Jay. Several of the Thrush family, the Longspurs and Snow Buntings, and a host of other summer residents that I know breed there. If your Editor had copied my de- scription of the Hudsonian Chickadee, or the Horned Lark, or the Redpoll Linnet, or the Snow Bunting I be- lieve it would have inspired some one to do some thing. It always fires me even now to sit calmly down and read those, or any one of those, four arti- cles. It recalls so vividly the pictures of pleasant waters, calm serenity, and the exuberant gladness of mere exis- tence, that it makes me lonesome. I arise from my chair and put together my double-barrel L. C. Smith, or take from its case my 22 Winchester re- THE MUSEUM. 53 peater, and for about half an hour the air grows so sulphurous that it would be even dangerous for a bird to even think of existing any where with- in the company of a "possible shot." The little pamphlet I published en- titled "Bird Life in Labrador" tells a great deal about the birds of this re- gion, and has interested a great many- readers. I feel prouder of it than .of anything that I ever wrote. That and the other entitled "Notes on .the Natural History of Labrador" will^tell you nearly all that is known of the Natural History of this region. If I do say so! Glacier Pass. Near Chateau. Now I will close vyith another pic- ture of another glacial pass in still an- other place. Our camera was faulty and our pictures were and are very poor, but they will serve to show you. a little of what sort of a thing we were constantly meeting with, and how full of interest were the places we did visit in this mysterious region. Such glacial passes were abundant in nearly every bay or harbor, and we could have taken views of hundred.^ of them had we possessed good cameras; and developed our pictures at home. Arctic Notes Great Success. My ad. in the Nov. issue has boi'ii a jrieat success in jour papt^v so far. Replie.s are coming in from all parts of the country. C. M. H.\TFiEl.i), So. I'asadeuii, Calif. On the Habits of Certain Rare Northernr Birds in Commander Islands and Kam- tschatka by Leonhard Stejneger. Taken from his Excellent Report to the U. S. National Museum . Pallas's Murre, Urialomvia arra. The "Are," a Russian name derived from the voice of the bird, is extremly abundant at the Commander Islands, and is perhaps at present the most numerous species of the region, al- though it is difficult to say whether the Tufted PufTin, Lunda cirrhata is not just as rich in individuals. The largest rookeries are situated on Cop- per island. They pass the winter away from the shores of the islands, probably on the open sea not far from them, as is indicated by living individ- 54 THE MUSEUM. uals occasionally appearing durini^ the winter and dead bodies re°jularly cast ashore after each severe storm of that season. About the ist of April, or a little earlier, their enormous tiocks ap- proach the shore and take possession of the rookeries. When breeding, the long rows of "Ares" on the narrow shelves of rock where they have de- posited their many-colored, large, pear- shaped eggs, face the rocky wall with their white breasts, turning their black backs to the spectators. When flying off their nest they consequently are compelled to first turn around, and if taken by surprise, their maneuver will often cause them to throw the egg from the shelf into the water. It happened several times when I stealthily approached in a boat under the breeding colonies, that several eggs were thrown into the boat when the birds rushed off the nests, (if the bare rock upon which the egi^ is placed can be called a nest) and my Aleutian oars- men were always in a roar of laughter when one of these projectiles exploded on the head of an unfortunate com rade. A series of eggs of all shades, from white to deep greenish blue, are collected, and measure from 79 to 84 nnn long by 48 to 53 ////// wide. Whiskered Auklet, Sinur/ivjirhiis This little Auklet, certainly the prettiest of the whole family, h is its favorite home on the steep, rocky shores of Copper Island, but may be found breeding all along the coast where suitable holes and crevices or. cur. I also found nesting places, near some of the main villages. Notwith- standing the fact that the birds are rather common it must be considered good luck to meet them and get op- portunity of observing them, for they are rather shy and live quite retired in their deep holes. They are such early breeders, being considerably ahead of their allies. In fact so early that no eggs could be procured the latter part of June when I had opportunity of going after them. The nests at this time contained young, which remain in the nest imtil full grown. On July [8th a young bird was found early in the morning, concealed in a fold of the sails, the inexperienced youth hav- ing probably mistaken it for a crevice of rock. When the breeding season is over they all retire to the ocean. PAROOUEr Auklet, Cyclorrhynclius psittacjihis. This species arrives in the islands about the end of April. The best time to observe them is about 4 o'clock in the morning and also at the same hour in the afternoon as the rest of the day before the breeding has begun, is passed away out at sea, and after that time in the deep holes of the rock in which the nests are loca- ted. Atthetiine mentioned they may be seen sitting in pairs on the rocky ledge outside of the nest cave. Their voice is a clear vibrating whistle. Horned Puffin, Fratercula CornicK- lata. Not very common on the islands as compared with the Tufted Puffin, Lnn- (ia cirrhatir, probably because suitable breeding places are scarce as they re- quire rather deep holes in rocks or be- tween stones. A few pairs, or where the lo:ality offers more nesting oppor- tunities, some small colonies are found scatterevi among the rookeries of the THE MUSEUM. 55 'Other water birds, sometimes higher, sometimes lower than the other spec- ies, sometimes in the midst of them according to where the holes and cracks in the rocks are situated. The nest-holes are found in the rocks and I never saw a single pair breeding in a hole dug out of the soft ground as is usually the case with other Puffins. Glaucous-winged Gull, Larus f^lau- ccsccus. This species breeds on the various islands but most numerous all along the shore of Copper island. The im- mense colonies are quite frequently on inaccessible rocks overlooking the sea. Eggs were found as early as May 1 6th and measure 73x54 ;//;//. Compared with the eggs of the Glau- caus Gull, Larus g/aiiciis, those col- lected by me show a just perceptibly more greenish tinge and somewhat smaller, more numerous and better de- fined spots. Slatv-backed Gull, Larus scJiistis- gus. . Not found on the islands to any great extent. On the 20th of April I observed them for the first time in company with the Glaucaus Gulls on the eastern shore of Bering Island. From the inhabitants I learned that this bird breeds at Babuschkin Kamen in the bay of Avatscha, and on Starit- skof island, south of the entrance to that bay. Pacific Kittiwake, Riss atridactyla pollicaris. This is a common breeding bird on the islands but as all places do not suit this noisy bird, the rookeries are comparatively few, a compensation ■for which is found in astonishing num- ber of individuals inhabiting each rook- ery. For such are chosen steep walls, rising perpendicularly out of the deep sea, and especially high pinnacles standing lonely, amidst the foaming breakers, provided they are fitted out with shelves and projections upon which to place the nests. As Copper island offers such localities all around its shore, the Pacific Kittiwake is pret- ty well distributed all over that island. They arrive about the first of April and I found the first young hatched on August 2nd. Red-leg Kittiwake, Rissa brevir- ostris. This species is in every respect, both structurally and in its habits, a true Rissa. Like its black-legged cousin, it only selects steep and inac- cessible rocks, and in none of its hab- its at the breeding place could I de- tect any marked difference. They ar- rive at the islands about the same time, hatching their young simultan- eously with the other species. Those birds not engaged in breeding do not seem to straggle around to such an extent, as do the black-legged ones. The two species usually keep apart from each other but in one place I found them breeding together, on a rocky wall, the black-feet however al- ways higher up than the present spec- ies. The two kinds were easily dis- tinguished even on the nests, brcvi- rostris having the gray of the mantle of a perceptibly darker shade than pol- licaris. Parasitic J.eger, Stcrcorarius par- asiticus. On the islands the dark form is the most common. A few only with low- 56 THE MUSEUM. er surface were seen, and one secured. This species is found mostly on Bering Island where it breeds on the great tundra, or rather swamp, near the vil- lage. The first birds made their ap- pearance on the 4th of May. One ^g% was collected May 29th and meas- ures 57x41.25 imn. Short-tailed Albatross, Diomcdea nlbatrus. This bird is by no means a rare vis- ator to the islands, where I never saw D. iiigripes, a species which, on our northward voyage from San Francisco, left us before we reached the Aleutian chain. They were first observed the middle of March. These were the old * birds in the white plumage, and on April 14th not less than eight were seen near the village. During the summer, however, the black young birds of the foregoing year are more numerous. In the middle of the im- mense flock of Puffins and Auks, cov- ering many acres, can always be seen oneortwo of the comparatively gigan- tic birds, which however are the first to take the wing on approach of a boat. Pacific Fulmar, luihnanis glacialis i^lupischa. The "Glupisch" is one of the com- monest summer visitors to the islands and breeds in enormous numbers in suitable places, that is to say in high and steep rocky bluffs and promontor- ies boldly rising out of the sea 300 to 800 feet high, and I have spent hours under their rookeries listening to their whinnying voice and watching their high and elegant flight in sailing out and in and around the cracked rocks like bees at an immense bee-hive. The Fulmar is the first one of the non- resident water-birds ^to arrive at the rookeries in early spring, usually in March. The order of arrival being Fulmanis, Uriaarra, Liiiida ccrrJiata, Fratercula coniiciilata. The eggs are dull white without spots and meas- ure 68 to 71.5 ;//;// by 48 to 51 wide. One specimen measured 75x49 ;/////. All were collected on July 12th and 13th. Fork-tailed Petrel, Occanodronia fur cat a. This bird breeds on Copper Island, where it is known by the natives as "Sturmofka." On July 12th I visited the precipitous rocks of Tschornij Mys, where a small colony of these grace- ful birds were breeding. The eggs, a single one in each nest, were deposit- ed in deep holes in the steep basaltic rocks, 3 feet or more deep anu 1 was only with great difficulty that a ew could be secured. The birds were taken on the nests and in some the females, in others, the males were sit- ting. The eggs which were in differ- ent stages of incubation, are white without gloss. Some have the min- uted dark specks evenly dusted over the blunt end, in others these specks are a little larger, purplish black, and form a circlet around the blunt end, while some few lilac spots shine through from the deeper layers. The eggs were collected July 12th and measure 32.5 to 34 ;//;;/ long b}^ 25 to 26. 5 ////// wide. Turnstone, Areiiarca iutirprcs. It makes its appearance early in May and the beach especially on the north shore of Behring Island fairly swarms with them. In June they dis- appear and only a few remain during the summer. These, I suppose to THE MUSEUM. 57 "breed although I did not succeed in finding any of their nests. However as early as the latter part of July even larger flocks than those seen in the spring return from the north. From this time until late in autumn enor- mous masses of them may be seen on the killing grounds, near the seal rook- eries, where thousands of putrified car- casses of the slain fur-seals swarm with myriads of the white larvae of the flesh;-:fly, upon which the pretty Turn- stones feed and grow exceedingly fat. At sunset they retire to the beach, where they pass the night, not how- ever without having a soldier-like drill by flying up and down the endless tundra, now in full body, now again in detached divisions, and with admir- able precision turning and maneuver- ing as if obeying the command of a leading officer. Pacific Golden Plover, Cliaradrius do 1/1 in ic ii s fii ii • // .s- . This form is distinguished from its near American relative CJi. domiiii- cus which also has the axillaries smoky gray, by the greater brightness of the yellow color. The Pacific Plover is, however, the form which occurs most commonly in Alaska, oc- cupying the whole shore of Bering Sea, while the true dominicus only breeds in the interior and along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. The in- dividuals oi fulvns breeding in Amer- ica migrate in- winter along the Asiatic Coasts, thus giving evidence of the way in which the species once immi- grated into Alaska. They arrive about the middle of May, coming again after the 15th of September. Mongolian Plover, Acgiolitis mo7i- gola. One of the brightest and handsome- est of the shore birds and always glad- ly welcomed when making its appear- ance during the first half of May. While at Glinka on Copper Island, in July, 1883 a young bird of this species not yet fully feathered was brought to me alive. Allowed to run free on the floor it immediately commenced a very animated pursuit of the rather numerous flies which were caught with remarkable precision and rapidity and devoured with an unsatiable appetite. The little fellow did not pay any at- tention to the presence of several per- sons in the room, but when the dog rose from his nap in the corner, the swiftfooted fly-killer suddenly dropped flat on the floor, with withdrawn neck, making himself as small and flat as possible, and remained there perfectly immovable until the dog turned his head the other way, when:he ran off to the darkest corner of the room, where he remained until the former laid down in his old place. Then he started the fly hunting again;^the dog rose once more, and the same per- formance was repeated. Within half an hour, however, he diad learned that the dog did not take any notice of him whatever, and consequently he afterwards paid as little attention to dog as to man. A nest was found on the islet Toporkof, on the 4th of June and contained three'eggs. They were lying with their ■ pointed ends inwards and downwards, in a slight hollow in the ground betw'een the stems of four Angelica arcJiangclica. Dry particles of the leaves and stems of this plant, and [numerous seeds of 5! THE MUSEUM. the same, formed the nest, being evi- dently brought together by the bird it- self. The situation of the nest was about 40 feet from the line of high water, and about 14 feet above the level of the sea. One of the eggs was quite clear; the second contained a small embryo, in which only the large eyes were distinguishable; the third had a larger foetus with well-develop- ed wings, legs, etc. In general ap- pearance the eggs recall those of Ac^- gralitis scinipabiiata-almata, being larger, however, and of a somewhat deeper ground color. Some eggs were more olive and others more buff. The spots are on the whole, smaller than in average, specimens of the former, be- ng in that respect more like Ac. Jicat- iciila. The eggs measure from 36 to 37.25 mm long by 26.5 to 2'jmm wide. Aleutian Sandpiper, Triiiga coucsi. The Aleutian Sandpiper is a per- fectly good and distinct species, read- ily distinguished in all plumages from the Purple Sandpiper, Tringa mari- tina, with which it has frequently been confounded. The first eggs are laid about the middle of May. On the 17th of June I got a newly' hatched chick. Like so many other members of the same order, the mother shows great love for her offspring, trying all sorts of devices to devert the attention of the approaching hunter from the young ones to herself, risking her own life in order to save theirs. Long-toed Stint, Tri)iga damaccnsis This species arrives at Behring Is- land in large flocks during the later part of May, and are then met with on sandy beaches, where the surf has thrown up large masses of sea weed, busily engaged in picking up the num- erous Crustaceans, etc. , with whichi the weeds abound. Most of the birds, stay only a few days, going further north, while a small number remain; over summer, breeding sparingly on: the large swamp behind the village. My efforts to find the nest were unsuc- cessful but I shot birds near Zapor- naja Reschka on the 17th and 22nd of June, and on the 7th of August. [CONTINUED IN JANUARY NUMBER.] A Naturalist's Mistake. "Ah, this is a curious hanging plant. with a" We regret that we arc obliged to leave the article on Pacific Coast Star- fishes out of this number but it will surely appear in the January number. THE MUSEUM. 59 100 PREMIUMS FREE TO ALL! Send an order for $1.00 worth of Specimens from list below and receive the Museum FREE; or, send $1.00 for the Museum and recieve $1.00 worth of Specimens free. Simply state the numbers desired. Orders of S.j.OO or over from this list at 25 per cent, discount. 1 Cheap Taxidermists Forceps $ 25 2 Taxidermists Scissors 50 3 " Scalpels Ebony Handle. . 50 4 Package Green Moss 15 5 Package Tags for Skins 25 6 Bottle Tanning Liquor,by express. . . 1 00 7 2 sizes of Egg Drills 25 8 White Metal Blower 25 9 Brass Blower 20 10 Best Nickle Blower 35 11 Embryo Scissoi"s cheap 25 12 Oologists Cement 15 13 100 Data Blanks 25 14 Oologists Outfit No. 1 40 15 " " No. 2 1 00 16 1 doz. Cork. 4 x 12 x i 40 17 100 Insect Pins, any size 20 18 Egg of Calif. Murre 20 19 " Herring Gull 20 20 " Calif. Gull 20 21 " Sooty Tern 20 22 " Noddy Tern 35 23 " Leach's Petrel 20 24 " Farallone Cormorant 20 25 " White Ibis 25 26 " Least Bittern 20 27 ' ' Little Blue Heron 10 28 " Amer. Coot 10 29 " Calif. Quail 12 30 •' Chachalaca 50 31 " Mourning Dove 03 32 " Cooper Hawk 25 33 " Belted Kingfisher 15 34 •' Baird's Woodpecker 50 35 " Gold-front Woodpecker 40 36 " West Nighthawk 30 37 " Phoebe 04 38 " Skylark 15 39 " Amer. Magpie 15 40 " Amer. Crow 05 41 " Red-eyed Cowbird 30 42 " Meadow lark 10 43 " Orchard Oriole 06 44 " Baltimore Oriole 06 45 " Texas Sparrow 35 46 ' ' Cardin'al 05 47 " White Rump Shrike 06 48 " Mockingbird 05 49 " Brown Thrasher 03 50 " Wood Thrush 06 51 Assorted collec'n of Indian Relics. . . 100 MINERALS. 52 Audalusite 25 ■53 Asbestus 25 54 Azurite 25 55 Beryl 25 56 Calcite 25 57 Calc. Turfa 25 58 Catlinite 25 59 Chalcedony 25 60 Clay Stones 25 61 Crinoidal Limestone 25 62 Dolomite 25 63 Flint Balls 25 64 Garnet in Rock 25 65 Geode 25 66 Graphite 25 67 Hematite 25 68 Iceland Spar 25 69 Black Mica 25 70 Malachite 25 71 Opalized Wood 25 72 Petrified Wood 25 MARINE CURIOS 73 Leopard Shark egg 25 74 Nurse Shark egg 7.5 75 Acorn Barnacle 20 76 Stuffed Alligator 1 00 77 Sea Horse 25 78 Hermit Crab in shell 50 79 Skate Egg 10 80 Shark Egg 15 81 Devil Fish Egg 15 82 Alligator Egg 35 83 Porcupine Fish 1 00 84 Porcupine Quill, Africa, 9 in 25 85 Saw Fish Saw, 10 in 30 86 Sperm Whale Tooth 1 00 87 Pacific Starfish 40 88 Nidorilla armata 76 89 Heliaster Kubingii 75 90 Mammoth Purple Urchin, Pacific... 1 00 91 Sand Dollar 15 92 Tarantula, luounted in box 1 00 93 Horned Toad, mounted in box 1 00 94 Scoi pion, mounted in box 1 00 95 Chinese Horn Nut 10 96 Ivory Nut, Africa 25 97 Fossil Shark Tooth 20 98 Scaphites nodosus. Fossil 25 99 Trigonocorpus Nuts 25 100 Grypheas 15 Send remittance whatever form is conven- ient. Stamps accepted in any amount if in good condition. WALTER F. W^EBB, PUBLISHER MUSEUM, ALBION, N.r. 6o THE MUSEUM. Xmas IS Coming BARGAINS and the New Year will soon be here! No better time than now to make j-ourself a present of what you need in Books, the coming. year. The Museum for 1895 $1 00 Nests and Eggs of North American Birds, Davie, cloth 1 75 do, paper 1 25 The Naturalist's Manual. Davie 25 Methods in the Art of Taxidermy, Davie 7 50 History of the Birds of Kansas, Goss. ... 6 00 Key to North American Birds, Cone's. . 7 50 Manual of North American Bird, Ridge- way 7 50 Birds of Michigan, paper. Cook 75 Birds of Labrador. Stearns 75 Natural History of Labrador, Stearns.. 75 Our Birds in tiieir Haunts, Langillo .... 2 25 Standard Cataloorue of Eggs 25 Key to Birds of Northwest, Apgar 50 Taxidermy and Zoological Collecting. Hornaday 2 50 Birds of of Ontario Mcll wraith 2 00 Bird Preserving and Bird Mounting, Aves 25 Taxidermy without a Teacher, Mauton.. 50 Insects injurious to Vegetation, Harris.. 4 00 Butterflies of England, Maynard 7 50 Butterflies of Eastern North America, French 2 00 Guide to the Study of Insects, Packard.. 5 00 Half Hours with Insects, Packard 2 50 Our Common Insects, Packard 1 50 Corals and Coral Islands, Dana 3 50 Sea Mosses, Hervey 2 00 Manual of Conchology, Tryon 6 00 Manual of Mollusca, Woodard 3 00 (ieiilogical Sketches, Agassiz 2 00 Geological Story, by Dana 1 50 Manual of Gec'Hogy, Dana 4 50 Manual of Mineralogy and Lithology ... 2 00 Manual of Mineralogy, Dana 10 00 Precious Stones, Colored. Kunz 10 00 Gefilogical Excursions, Winchel 1 50 Wild Flowers, Dana 1 50 Primative Industrv. Al)botts 3 00 How to Hunt and Ti-ap, Batty 1 50 Amateur Trai)pcr 50 Shooting on tlie Wing 75 Hints for Beginners with the Microscope 50 Hints and Points for Sportsmen 1 50 Structure of Animal Life. Agassiz 1 50 N. A. Geology and Pala-ontology, Miller 3 00 Manual of Vc-rtebrates, Jordan 3 00 American Ornithiilogy, l)y Wilson, four vols., bound in leathei", three of text and one of plates, comijlete 10 00 All will be sent, prei)aid, on rcceii)t of pi'ice. WALTER F. WEBB, Publisher of The Museum, ALBION, N. Y. BIRD SKINS. Wilson-s Phalarope $ 30 Black neck Stilt 50 Least Tern 60 Barti'am SandDiper 30 Cal. Partridge, per pair 95 Gambers Partridge, per pair 1 i35 Sparrow Hawlc \£> Desert Sparrow Hawk 75 Buff bellied Hummer _. 40 vermilion Flj'catcher .50 I>ong-crested Jay 30 Ariz. .Hooded Oriole 45 Foreign hummers, no datas, each 40 Three for 100 We have over 5 000 bii'd skins In stock, consisting of European, Costa Rica and A merican specimens. Send for our complete list of skins. BIRDS E3GS. Royal Tern, sets of 3, each $ 20 Baitram's Sandpiper, 3 &4 18 Black Skimmer, 3 & 4 _. 10 Louis. Heron, 3 & 4 08 Sora Rail 6 to 13 07 Little Flvcatcher, 3 & 4 _ 10 Bicolored Blackbird, 3 & 4 04 House Finch, 4 &5 03 Many other eggs in stock at equally low prices. Send stamp for complete list. STUFFED BIRDS. Am. Eider, male $2 00 Horned Owl ,$4 00 Great Blue Heron _ 5 00 Screech Owl 2 00 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 85 Am. Quail l 10 KingUsher 1 DO Am. Robin, Blue Jay, Prairie Warbler and Fox Sparrow, each 75 About 25 species of small stuffed birds at 75c e.ich. Larger birds from 11.00 to $15.00. Send for complete list. Orders for less than .50c not accepted. If you buy $1.00 or $1,000 worth of goods in a year it will pay you to examine our prices. JAMES P. BABBITT, Taxidermist, wholesale and retail dealer in Taxider- mists' Supplies, Birds Skins. Eggs. etc. Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. Taunton, Mass. To Mineralogists. Collectors and Students: In order to be abreast of the times in any department of science, it is necessary to rely in a measure upon a pul)lication devoted to the subject in which you are interested. The Mineral CoLLECToii aims to supply the news relatiug to Mineralogy. To publish scientific reports and descri|)tive articles. To describe new localities and the minerals they atford. To facilitate the exchanging of speci- mens among careful collectors, who really have good material to exchange. And to ad- vertise the wares of llu; dealer in minei'al specimens and accessories. The JVIineual COLLEOTOU is meant to be a popular publica- tion, and worthy the patronage of the ama- teur and ])rofessioiial collector. It will be ])ub]ishe(l monthly, twelve times a year. The subscription price is one^ dollar a year, in ad- vance. Active collectors may reali/c this small outlay by careful attention to the con- tents of a single numbei". Subscribe now. Sample coi)y, i)ostpaid, free on request. THE MINERAL COLLECTOR, 58 Pearl St.. New York City. THE MUSEUM. 6i TINY Arrow Heads of semi-precious stone from Oregon. New Mexico, Arizona, etc.. are elegant and becom- ing scarce. 10,000 fiint Arrows and Spears from all over the United States, from $.05 to $2.00 each — common forms to choice and rare. A variety will be sent on application to any one giving good references. I pay postage one way. A few cents will return the pack- age. The Noble Fossils of the Cheyenne River Bad Lands. Three tons of tine Minerals; most all the species in Dana furnished. Sliells, Aluminum Goods, Agate and Pyrites Jewelry, Sioux Indian Kelics. Catalogue with prices, for stamp. Natural History Establishment L. W. STILWELL, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. DEADWOOD, S. D. Naturalists' Supply Depot. Catalogne for '9S now Ready. Send 10 cents for copy. REDUCED PRICES. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., HYDE PARK, MASS. BIRDS EGGS, INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES, SENT ON APPROVAL. The largest and most complete stock in America to select from, at I^ock Bottom Prices. Estimates and prices on large or small orders cheerfully furnished. SEND FOR 1885 CATALOGUE. FRED W. STACK, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. WE WILL PRINT and mail you fine white Wedding Bristol Visiting Cards, in imitation of engraving, for 10 cents per dozen, 100 Letter Heads, 40c; 100 Envelopes, 40; 100 Cards, 40c. Everything else in proportion. A. M. EDDY, ALBION, X. Y. The Museum is from our presses. NATHAN L. DAVIS, TAXIDERMIST, ALBION, NEW YORK, Birds and Mammals Mounted to order. Raw Hides tanned and made into Rugs, Boas, or Robes. Prices very reasonble. All work guai'auteed to please. Old Coins, Stamps, Indian Curios. Large 64 page Catalogue, illustrated 'Oc. 827 BRANNAN STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. THE NAUTILUS. A Monthly devoted 10 the interests of Cou- chologists. Edited and published by H. A. PILSBRY, Academy of Natural Scieuces, and C. W. JOHNSOISi, Wagner Free Institute. Philadelphia, Pa. Subscription, $1 per year; sample copy, 10c. The American Geologist, 1895. The oldest Exclusively Geological Mag- azine Published in America. To subscribers in the U. S., Canada and Mexico, per year $3 50 To other subscx'ibers in the postal union, per year 4 00 The American Geologist is issued monthly from the office of publication at Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America. Fourteen volumes are nearly com- pleted; the tifteenth begins with the number for January, 1895. The magazine has re- ceived a cordial welcome ana a generous sup- port from leading geologists everywhere and it IS now recognized as the exponent of the rapid geological progress that is taking place on the continent of North America, including- Canada, the United States and Mexico. No- where else in the world are geologic pheno- mena exhibited on a more extensive scale and nowhere else are results attained of greater economic and scientitic importance. The'American (Geologist la>s before its readers from month to month the latest results of geological work. In addition to the longer papers it gives synopses of recent geological publications and brief notes on cur- rent geological events. SAMPLE COPIES 20 CENTS THE GEOLOGICAL PUBLISHING CO. Minneapolis, Minn., U. S. A.. Oct. 1, 1894. European Agent, Mr. Henry Claypole. Manager of Londou & Co. Bank. Sittingbourne, Kent, Eng. 62 THE MUSEUM. Herkimer Co. Crystals. FINEST IN THE WOELD! Exhibit at the World's Fair- Received Highest Award, Medal and Diploma. I will send a choice collection of 35 of these Famous Gems, postpaid, for only 70 cents. Every new cos ~mer purchasing this popular collec- tion will be presented with a handsom« glass tube, containing 10 Microscopic Crystals, absolutely perfect, and so very small that it taUes 11,000 to weigh one ounce. Take advantage of this unparallelled offer to- day. HERKIMER CO., MIDDLEVILLE, N. Y. Relief Maps FOR SCHOOLS P OF ALL GRADES. Systema . i jllecthns MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, LANTERN SLIDES, ETC. AVashington School Collections. Minerals, Rocks and Invertebrate Animals. It is safe to say that no collections of equal excel- lence have ever before been offered in this country at so low a price ($2 each). Send for circular. EDWIN E. HOWELL, 612 17th St.. N. W.. Washington, D. C. The Iowa Ornitliologist. A Quarterly Magazine, devoted to Ornithcilo- gy and Oology. Forty cents per year. Sample copies lOc. Published forThe Iowa Ornithological Ass'n. David L. Savage, Editor, Salem, la. SEND 15c. STAMPS Xnew""''' "'''^'"^^ NORMAL CATAOGUE of all Euroi)ean-palaearcti(! bird eggs, in over 6(Ki numbers, with prices and number of sets for each species. HERCDANN ROLLE. INSTITUTION FOR NATURAL HISTORY, BERLIN N. W., EMDENER-STR. 4, GERMANY. BAKRR & HANSON Collectors of Florida Sea Shells and Curios. Dealers and Collectors desiring Florida Sea Fowls Eggs and Alligatois and their eggs should send in tlieir order in tinu^ fur nesting season. Baker & Hanson, Myers, Florida, PRINTING OUTFIT ^ FOR SALE CHEAP. We have the following outfit that we will sell very cheap for cash as we have no further use for it. Self inking Excelsior 5x7i Printing Press. Extra Treadle for same. Extra Chase. Lot Furniture. l^ot Brass Rules. Printing Ink (black.) Five complete Fonts of type as follows: ^ geat ^TA.lig LJETTtEg §ooi jor any purpose but to DRY GOODS SALE mnnnnnnonnnnohocooo:ooooo o URI Above outtit is all in good order, ready for use. Price $12, cash, or $3 with order, bal- ance C. O. D. If not so/d this' month price will be reduced $r per ?/io/ith till sold. Address ALBION CARD WORKS. ALBION, N. Y. THE LATEST DATING STAMP. lOvery Collector sht)uld liavo one. CTS. POSTPAID. Satisfaction (iuarauteed. R. W. FORD, BRISTOL, CONN. Self-Inking I'ads 'ihc. extra. ^AOENXS ■WANTED. When answering ad^. mention Museum. When answering ads. mention Museum. SPECIALTIES IN MUSEUM HARDWARE The undersigned manufactures Spec- i ial Brackets and Racks for adjustable shelves (Pig. 1.) Also several kinds of Monitor Locks (Fig. 2— this style is No. 10.) These are arranged for all varie- ties of Museum Cases (either upright or table style) French Windows, Bookcas- es, etc. Special machine (Fig. 4) for making Rock Sections, arranged for steam or foot power. Also several styles for cutting and polishing Miner- als, Petrified Wood, etc., on hand or furnished to order. Adopted and recommend by the r^rin- cipal museums of the United States. Full information given ou application to Elisha T. Jenks, Middleborough, fig2. Plymouth Co., Mass. FlK 4 llijct@ira|]§, Setemtijft© and Heiiloalj B)(a@k§« Dr. A. E. Foote, 1224-26-28 North 41st Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U. S. A. (NEAR MEMORIAL HALL.) The September numtier of the LeisukeHouh Dot only contains the revised Price List and abbreviated descrip- tions, giving composition, color, hardness, fusibility, crystalization, streak and lustre of about one hundred, new species discovered within the past two years, but also, the fullest description in the English language ot the beautiful new species, Boleite and Cumenzeite, illustrated with a number of figures, and much other valuable scientiHc matter. The price list is /«e and my Catalogue of Minerals and Mineralogical Books, 138 pages, is sent free to all in- tending purchasers who request it on headed paper and to all customers, to others post-paid on receipt of five •cents, heavy paper ten cents, or bound in cloth, 35 cents. (Price-list alone free, or heavy paper .5 cents-) It is profusely Illustrated, and the printer and engraver charged me about $1,300 before a copy was stuck off. By means of the table of species and accompanyingtables, most species may be verified. The price list is an excel- lent check list, containing the names of all the species to 1894, and the more common varieties, arranged alpha- betically, and preceded by the species number. The species number indicates the place of any mineral in the table of species, where will be fovmd the species name, streak or lustre, cleavage or fracture, hardness, specific jgravity, fusibity, and crystallization. Collection of Minerals for Students, Amateurs, Professors, Chemists, Physicians et al. The collections of 100 illustrate the principal species and all the grand subdivisions in Dana's and other Mineralogies ; all the principal Ores, &c., &c. The first hundred includes ecery species in the list advised in Dana's Manual, and species like WiUfenite, Vivianite. Labradorite, Datolite, Titanite, that are especially advised by Brush. Nason, Eglestonor other writers on Mineralogy and blowpipe analysis ; also other species like Turquois, Azurite, Microcliue and Wavelite that are important. The second hundred includes the re- maining varieties advised by Dana, and most species advised in text-books ou Mineralogy and blowpipe work. Specimens in collections from Ic to $1 each accord- ing to size and quality. The free Leisure Hour also gives lists of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth hundreds all of which, consid- ing their character are the cheapest collections ever sold. SCIENTIFIC BOOKS The largest stock in the World, especially on Amerl can subjects. Lists on light paper sent free, and .5c for e ach 38 pages on heavy paper. Please specify the subject in When answering ads. mention The Museum. which you are interested. 64 THE MUSEUM. The Kombi Camera 53.50. Is a combined Camera and Gra])hoscoj)e. Makes a picture this size: ^~ square, round, or fancy shape. Takes 25 pictures in one loading, snap shot or time exposure. The size of the Camera is l'aX3 inches. Weight, 4 oz. Carry in your pocket. All metal, silver- bronze finish. Any Boy or Girl can use it. Every instrument guaranteed. Inde- structible. The Kombi complete, $3.50. ures). 20 cents extra. Cost of developing roll of film, 15 cents. Cost forprlnting, 1 cent- for each picture. ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET RREE. If not for sale by your dealer, the Kombi will be stnt to any address, on receipt of price. ALFRED C. KEMPER, 208 Lake St., CHICAGO, ILL. Strip of film (35 expos- WE CAN DO YOUR'^'^^' PRINTING a little better or a little cheaper than most anybody else. We have every facility for it. Drop us a card (men- tioning the Museum) for samples and prices. A. M. EDDY, ALBION, N. Y. GAM^LAND The Sportsman-Naturalist's illustrated inai?azine. reveals virgin woods and waters.and treats exliaustively of birds, fishes and (juadrupeds, camp life, wood-craft and general natural history and natural science. It is not a vulgar "sporting" sheet; the household reads it. Twelve numbers make a book of 1(k) pages. Subscription $1 ^riV, ^'v'"''^'''''^''' ^''"^i "■">' iidiiress. With THK Museum J1.50; three trial numbers. 25 cents. No free copies. Address : G ameland, l-.(i7 Broadway, New York, N. Y. SEND ROR ITT ilPo.MPOUNu OxYGE.v-lts Mode of Action and Re- w suits." -is the title of a book of 200 pages, pub llshed by Drs. Starkey& Palen. which gives to all in- quirers full information as to this remarltable Curative agent, and a record f)f surprising cures in a wide range of chronic cases— many of them after being abandoned to die by other physicians. Will be mailed free U) any address on application. Mention Tmo Musei'm. DRS. STARKEY & PALEN, l.-iafl Arch St., Phila. Pa. IJ) suiter St., S. Fran'co, Cal, Vi/hen answering ads. mention Museum, Oliver Spanner & ^, NATURALISTS. Wood Buffalo, Moose, Elk and Deer Heads. Northern Birds and Animals. 0"wls a Specialty. 358 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario. WHAT MOVES IT? One of Nature's ^Vonde^s. The Jumping Seed or Living Bean! Always Moving, always Jumping:, always Dancing. The wonder of the sclentilic world. Interesting to old and young. Only Animated Vegetable Known. A full deseription and explanation of this, phenomenon accomi)anies each box. Price per box of two living beans, only 25c. .5 for 50e. $1.00 per dozen. EO. "V.A1T "WIlSTKiLjE!, Curio Dealer. Vans Harbor, IVIicli Shells, Minerals, Corals, Fossils, Curios, etC. CATALOGUE BY MAIL, lO CENTS. J. M. WEIRS, 357 W. Van Baren st, CHICAGO. ILL- iWDo not Fail to read the Premium Offer in this number. This Offer Positively Closes Janu- ^ ary 20th. '^ Take advaiitas^c of it at once. ^Im r a I I VOL. I. NO. 3 JANUARY, 1895. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted Exclusively to Research in Natural Science. RA TES : — $1. 00 per year to all countries, in advance. Single numbers, 10 cts. Published the Fifteenth of Each Month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. Some Pretty Shells from various parts of the World. MuREX RADIX, GirEL. Black Murex. A black spiney variety, found most abundant in Panama. Triton tritornis, Linn. Trimipet Shell. 6 to 8 inches. Usually found in the South Pa- itic. Melo diadem a, Lam. Melon Shell. 3 to 10 in. most abundant in Australia. Oliva porphyria, Linn. Tent Shell. 2 to 4 inches. The largest of the Olives, natural high polish, and has figures similar to rows of tents. Lower California. Cassis m adagascarensis. Lam . Helmet Shell. 5 to 12 inches. Found in the Bahamas. Pterocera lam bis, Lam. Spider Shell. 4 to 12 inches. Found along coast of China, or Zanzibar. THE MUSEUM. 65; WANTS, EXCHANaES AND FOR SALES. All notices that come under above will be inserted in this department until further notice at one-half (i) cent a word. No notice less than 2oc. Terms Cash with crder. No charge fo7- address. I shall at all times endeavor to keep parties, w^hose reputation is of a doubtful char- acter from using these columns. CHOICE EUROPEAN Birds Eggs cheap by mail or express. Send 5 cents for price lists. CHAS. JEFFERYS, Naturalist, Tenby, Eng. MAKE a cash or exchange offer on a hand camera. Takes a photograph 4x5. Patent adjustable shutter, can take an express train. Cost me $32. Samples of its work sent to those interested. I will pay express charges to the highest bidder. D. W. CHAPMAN, South Bend, Ind. FOR SALE.— Ph;^saheterostropha, 2c; Slip per Limpet, 2c; Bubble Shell, 8c; Cbinese Coin, 3c; California Live Oak Acorns, 4c, not less than 10c. worth sold. Specimens sent postpaid. Send your list of specimens for exchange and I'eceive mine, or send for my list of specimens for sale. W. H. HILLER, 147 W. 23rd St., Los Angeles, California. FOR EXCHANGE.— A tine collection of Butterflies, AJoths, and insects for a collection of U. S. and Foreign Stamps in an album Also Austrian Postal Cards for others. CHAS. WM. EBERLE, 33 Cliff St., Yonkers, N. Y. COLLECTORS. — I have just whatyou want for printing your lists, circulars and bulletins. (The Duplicator.) You can make 100 copies in 15 minutes. Send stamp for circulars. NATHAN L. DAVIS, Box 80. Albion, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE.— Northern real estate to exchange for a place in southern states. Will exchange $1,000, to$5,000, equities for Museum Specinjens. Can use large series of Eggs, Bird and Mammal Skins, Archeological Speci- mens, Fossils, Minerals, etc. A. H.HELME, Millers Place. N. Y^ FOR EXCHANGE.— A slide trombone, Mis- senharter's, first class, silver plated, linely en- graved, isin piime condition, cost $58.00: with sole leather case, worth $5.00. Will exchange for the value of $20.00. Address, W. S. SIMON DS, Box I, Georgetown, Mass. POSTAL CARDS are cheap. Get one and mail it to us w ith your name and address on it and w^e will send you free, a sample of the December Mdiologist, an excellent number of an excellent magazine of bird-lite, handsomely illustrated, from photographs of birds, nests and eggs. Our annual subscription is now $1.50, or $.80 for half year; single copies 15c. Take advantage of this last "sample" offer, and then subscribe. Illustrations and articles (as ahvays) " superfine " quality of paper im- proved— number pages soon to be enlarged. Our success is unprecedented. Get a sample and see for yourself. The Nidiologist, H. R. TAYLOR, Publisher. Alameda, California. I HAVE unmounted photos of nests and eggs of 332. 648, 228. 300, 417 and 624. (all except first two in natural locations), which I will ex- change for unmounted photos' of nests and eggs of other birds, natural positions and aris- totype paper preferred, j' BOWLES, Ponka- pog, Mass. BARRED OWL nicely mounted will ex- change for $7 00 worth of eggs, A. 1., of hawks, owls, grouse or quail. CHAS. K. REED, 262- Main, Worcester, Mass. SEND 10, 15 or 25 cents for specimen of double refraction Iceland Spar. J. L. DAV- ISON, 55 Waterman St., Lockport, N. Y. UNITED STATES Postage Stamps, 40 dif- ferent, including scai'ce and old issues post, free $1. English stamps, 48 different, includ- ing old issues, " Govt. Parcels," »&c., $1 post free. CHAS. JEFFERYS, Naturalist, Tenby, England; TAXIDERMISTS AND COLLECTORS. ATTENTION. During the coming spring I can furnish you tiue specimens of birds and mammals either in the meat or fresh skins, can furnish 20 different kinds of ducks and many other land and water birds. My prices are the lowest. Send stamp Ht once for my new list. Address, FLOYD T. COON, Collector- and Taxidermist, Milton. Wis. FOR EXCHANGE.— I have some good spec- imens of Calcereous Tufa such as described in the December Museum that I will exchange for any kind of good specimens. Send your complete list and receive mine. If you have nothing for exhange I w'illsell speciinensfrom 3c to 15c according to size and shape. W. H. HILLER, 147 W. 23rd St., Los Angeles, California. 1 WANT a first class camera 4 x 5 or 5 x 8, will give goo'.' exchange in mounted birds, skins, eggs or supplies. Describe what you havfr and what you want for it. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Make me an offer on a $90.00 " Crescent "~ safety bicycle with "Morgan and Wright" pneumatic tires. Bicycle is complete with oil- can, air-pump, tool-bag and wrench. I will pay freight or express on wheel to highest bid- der over $29.00 cash, or over $19.00 cash and $14.00 trade. D. W. CHAPMAN, South Bend, Ind. PHEASANTS FOR SALE. English or- Chinese. Pur^ Golden Farrier and Mottled Farrier Pheasants. Also Black Astrichan Fowls. Write atonce. H. A. BRUSH & SON,, Milton, Vt. -66 THE MUSEUM. ANCIENT INDIAN RELICS of the mound builders of Ohio, also, western relics and relics of New England. Many times we have on hand tirst-class goods for sale vei'y cheap. Drawings and prices for stamps. Large price list post free, with a rare Conn., relic &c. W. PERRY ARNOLD, Stonington, Conn. CONFEDERATE BILLS. I will give you fifteen varieties of Confederate Bills for 50 cents, postage or cash. Collection will include $20.00, $10.00, $5 00, $3.00, $1.00, 75c, 50c, 2oc, 10c, etc., bills. Best and most rai'e relics of the late war. -Correspondence solicited. DVVIGHTG. CHAPMAN, South Bend, Ind. WANTED.— Skins (their accompanying skuls separate) with data and measurements, of the .smaller mammals (mice, gophers, moles, shrews and bats) of the eastern Mississippi valley, west of the AUegeany mountains and north to Hudson Bay. Send sample. S.N. RHOADS, Haddontleld, New Jersey. STOP AND READ. Now is your chance to get a useful souvenir of the World's Fair, 1893, for I am selling the World's Fair Colum- bus Chair — canes at 35 cents each Send at once, for prices will rise as times get better. C. FOX, 525 61st St., Englewood, 111. SEND $1 for 3 pound basket of Dolomite, Calcite, Seienite, Iceland Spar and Quartz. J. L DAVISON, 55 Waterman St., Lockport, N.y. IMPEYAN PHEASANT mounted on plush standard, a fine bird, will ex. for $40 00 worth of A. 1., eggs, singles or sets of Hawks, Owls, Grouse or Quail. CHAS. K. REED, Worces- ter, Mass. FOR SALE. My private collection of near- ly 1000 skins of Pennsyslvia and New Jersey birds. To insure a speedy sale I offer these at the very low price of $225, a reduction of 80 per cent, from retail list-prices. Just out — an abridged pamphlet edition of my I'eprint of "Ord's Zoology" containing all essential parts of the unabridged edition price 50c. Price of unabridged, $2.00. Remit by P. O. money or- der or silver. SAMUEL N. RHOADS, Had- don field. New Jersey. ARTIFICIAL EYES, best English make, 6 gross, black assorted sizes, 1 to 12, $1.25; 6 gross colored, assorted colovs and size, 1 to 12, $5. Either of the above lots sent carriage paid on receipt of P. O. order. CHAS. JEF- FERYS. Naturalist and Taxidermist, Tenby, England. WANTP3D. — To correespond with those who have a few dollars to invest the coming season in mounted birds, skins or eggs in sets from North Dakota and Manitoba. Am ijooking orders from some of the best, well-known col- lectors in America, I will be accompanied by a first-class taxid(u-mist during Ihi^ my third trip to the Northwest. Correspondence de- sired with taxidermist in regard to furnishing fresh, ijliiible skins of Franklin's (Jull. (ieese. Ducks. Terns, White Felican, etc. EDWIN S. BRYANT, Davison, Mich. MOUNTAIN CORK. A limited quantity of this exceedingly rare and curious mineral. Also a " Hunter's Pet " Taxidermists' B. L. shot gun, 20 ga., 24 inch barrel, by Stevens; nearly new, not more than fifty shots having been fired from it, an exceedingly ac- curate gun at long or short range and first- class in every respect with full set of imple- ments for same. To exchange for first-class birds eggs, or skins with data. Stuffed alliga- tor about 3 ft., long or other offers. F. W. WARWICK, Buckingham, Prov. Que., Cana- da. TANNING LIQUOR.— For tanning all kinds of Mammal Skins, new lot just made up per qt. by Express, $1; gallon jug, $3. Prices on large quanties on application. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. PHEASANTS FOR SALE.— English or Chinese. Pure Golden Farrier and Mottled Farrier Pheasants. Also Black Astrichan Fowls. Write at once. H. A. BRUSH & SON, Milton, Vt. COLORED PLATES.— These are the latest "things of beauty" in The Nidiologist, which is undoubtedly a better illustrated monthly magazine of Ornithology and Oiilo- gy, for one dollar per year, than the scientific world ever saw. The exquisite photograph iu colors, of an unusually handsome set of eggs of the White-tailed Kite, iu the Novem- ber number, willdelight all Oiilogists. A fine half-tone of a While-tailed Kite and other striking illustration, in same number. Sam- ple of this number at usual price, 10c. Sub- scription, with exchange notice free, $1.50. H. R. TAYLOR, Publisher NidiuLOGist, Ala- meda, Calif. New York Office, ROSS TAY- LOR, 150 Fifth Avenue. FOR EXCHANGE.— Fine sets of 311, 410, 396, 719b, 188, 602, 200, 477a, 593c. 314, 319, 335 and many others. Send on list of any fine sets you may have. Will exchange sin- gles of above for other rare singles. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. WANTED.— A good pair of Field Glasses and Boxing Gloves. I will give a good ex- change in Eggs, Skins, Mounted Birds, Rifies, Revolvers, etc. All letters answered. NATH- AN L. DAVIS, Box 80, Albion, N. Y. FOR SALE. — A beautiful copy of Johnson's Natural History, in two volumes, gold edges, full Russia Leather i)in(ling, etc. 1500 pages and over 1500 life-like engi'avings. Not soiled in anyway, and a complete Natural History from Man, through all the divisions, classes and orders to the aninuilcules in a drop of water; also showing the habits, structure and class- iiication of animals with their relation to Agricultur(\ Mainifactures, Commerce and the Arts, by Hon. S. (J. (Joodrich and Prof. Alexander'Winchell, L. L. 1). of the Univer- sity of Michigan. The high standing of the authors render it unnecessary to give further remarks about the work. It will be sent pre- paid to any address for $10.00 WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N.Y. THE MUSEUM. ^7 CHECKING LISTS.— A new l,)t just re- •ceived. Revised to date, including all new species of birds. 15c, doz; $1, hundred. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. WE CAN do j'our i)rinting a little better or a little cheaper I hail you can get it else- where. Big stock of Natural History cuts to select from. We make a speciality of this work. Send us a postal for samples. A. M. EDDY. Albion, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE.— Minerals and Fossils for Birds Eggs, Shells or stamps Illustrated cataloffue^by mail. 10c. J. W. WIERS. 357 West Van Buren St., Chicago, 111. W^ANTED. — Pupils in shorthand, penman- ship, bookkeeping or Spanish- I teach all these branches l)y mail and jjersonally and se- cure good positijns when competent. 1 make the securing of good positions for my pupils a specialty. No other school does that. For circulars and information write, W.(t. CHAF- FEE, Oswego, N. Y. N3t WANTED. — Second-hand copies of Coue's Key, Ridgeway's Manual, Baird's Brewer and Rifigeway's Land and Water Birds, colored edition; for which, I offer anything I adver- tise or part cash. Also can use good second- hand copies of any standard words on Orni- thology, Mineralogy, MoUusca, Geology, etc. Send full list with prices and what you want in exchange to W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. THE NAUTILUS. A Monthly devoted to the interests of Con- chologists. Edited and published by H. A. PILSBRY, Academv of Natural Sciences, and C. W. JOHNSON, Wagner Free Institute. Philadelphia, Pa. Subscription, $1 per 3'ear; sample copy, 10c. SEND 15c. STAMPS and you will receive my new Relief Maps FOR SCHOOLS OF ALL GRADES. Sysleinatic Colleclins MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, LANTERN SLIDES, ETC. Washington School Collections. Minerals, Rocks and Invertebrate Animals. It Is safe to say that, no collections of equal excel- lence have ever before been offered in this country at so low a price ($a each). Send for circular. EDWIN E. HOWELL, 612 17th St.. N. W., Washington, D. C. SEND ROR ITT 'ipoMPOUND Oxygen— Its Mode of Action and Re- " suits." -is the title of a book of '^00 pages, pub lished by Drs. Starkey & Palen, which gives to all in- quirers full information as to this remarkable curative agent, and a record of surprising cures in a wide range of chronic cases— many of them after being abandoned to die by other physicians. Will be mailed free to any address on application. Mention The Museum. DRS. STARKEY & PALEN, l.=i39 Arch St., Phila. Pa. 1:20 Sutter St., S. Fran^co, Cal, Shells, Minerals, Corals, Fossils, Curios, etc. CATALOGUE BY MAIL, lO CENTS. J. M. WEIRS, 357 W. Van Bnren St., CHICAGO, ILL- Oliver Spanner & (5, NATURALISTS. NORMAL CATALOGUE f ood Buffdlo Moose, Elk of all European-palsearctlc bird eggs, inover60i) numbers, with prices and number of sets for each species. HERO^AKN ROLLE. INSTITUTION rOR NATURAL HISTORY, BERLIN N. W., EMDENER-STR. 4. GERMANY. qUARTZ CRYSTAL SCARF PIN. Made of sterling silver, artistically engraved, and uniquely set with a beautiful' Herkimer Co., crystal. The above cut represents one of the seven popular styles I otl'er for sale. The regular price for this dainty novelty is GO cents, but I will send one, charges prepaid, to any person who will send 35 cents, together with the names of 5 collectors of minerals, curios, etc. As this oiler is made solely to obtain the names of collectors o?i(^?/ one pin, at the reduced price, will be sold to the same person. A. B. ■GRIM, Middleville, Herkimer Co , New York. ! and Deer Heads. Northern Birds and Animals. Owls a Specialty. 358 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario. Naturalists' Supply Depot. Catalogue for '95 now Ready. Send 10 cents for copy. REDUCED PRICES. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO.. HYDE PARK, MASS. When answering ads. mention Museum. 68 THE MUSEUM. ESTABLISHED 1888. F. G. HILLMAN^ DEALER IN Arcliaeological, Etlmological, and Geological Specimens, Minerals, Shells, Marine Curios, Antique Furniture, Old Weapons, aud Specimens for Collectors in all Branclaes. My Bargain Lists contain many wonder- ful bargains — you ought to have a copy — sent free upon application. When sending, better order one uf the following bargains. 25 varieties Minerals, worth from 5 to 35c each $1 (H) 25 varieties Fossils, worth Irom 5 to ooc each 1 00 25 varieties Shells, worth from 5 u> 50c each 1 75 25 varieties Marine Curios, worth from 5 to 50c each 1 75 6 Arrow Heads fioui difl'erent States. ... 25 Evert/ Specimen sen!, out is correctly hibled. F. G. HILLMAN, 1036 Acushnet Ave., NEW BEDFORD, MASS. INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY Successor of flic " Unabridged. ' ' Abreast of the Times. A Grand Educator. Standarrt of the U. S. Gov't I'rinting Office, the U. S. Supreme Court and of nearly all the Schoolbooks. Warmly coninieinled by every State Su])erintcn- t I'uy iluMp iv|iiliiis(,r:iiifiriit (•(litidiis. SELECTED MINERALS. Radiated Tourmaline in Mica Schist. 10c to 50c Pink and (irecn Tourmaline in Clevclandite, lOc to $1. Andalusito Is., lOc to $1. (iold in White Quart/,, :25c to $5. Gold in Tellurium. $1 to $25. Spinel Crv.^'tals. transparent, pink aud red, 25c to "5. 00. Quartz Crystals, polished, with Rutile and Actinolite, 1 to 12 inches long and i to 2^ diam., 50c to $10. Apatite, blue crystals on matrix, 25c to $3. Sulphur Crystals with Celestite, 10c to $20. Fluor Spar, delicate blue aud purple, 15c to $5. Hematite and Limonite, iridescent, 10c to $2. Sphalerite with Milky Quartz Crystals, 15c to $2.50. Wulfenite, red, line crystals, 15c to $1 Malachite and ChrysocoUa, i^olished, 75c to $2. Quartz Geodes, crystals clear, fxf inch, 25c to $2. WANTED. Jasper, blood red and orange-yellow. Chrysoprase, good green color. Lodestone. strongly magnetic. Beryl, good, clear blue and green color. Tourmaline crystals, all colors. P2meralds, Alexandrltes, Sapphire, and Clear Quartz. N. L. WILSON, 170 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.. The Naturalist. An illustrated 20-page monthly devoted to the study of Nature. Circulation rapidly increasing, now being 3000. Only 50 cents per Year. KKEE laXCI-IAlSIGE COLUMN. Send in your subscription and commence with vol. 2, No. 1. Vol. 2 commences with the Januarv, 1805. number, and will contain over 100 Illtislnitions during the year. Address, G. B. CHENEY, OREGON CITY, OREGON. Herkimer Co. Crystals. FINEST IN THE WORLD! /^'iSy^ Exhibit at the World's Fair Received llighe.>-t .\\vai(l, Medal and I)ii)l()ma. I will send a choice collection of :i") of the.«o Fnnioiis Gems, postpaid, for only 70 cents. Every new cns^mer piirchiislnu: this popnlar collec- tion will lie presented with a liandsom" frlass tulje, containing 10 Microscopic Crystals, absolntely jierfect, and so very small ihat it takes ll.O(K) toweinhonei ounce. Take advantage of this nuparallelled otTer to- day. -A.. 13. OR-Il^, HERICIMER t;0., MIUDl.EVILLE, N. Y.. THE MUSEUM. A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Research in Natural Science. Vol. I. ALBION, N. Y., JANUARY 15, 1895. No. 3 Notes on the Nesting of the Duck Hawk. As the Peregrine Falcon is quite rare in this locahty and still rarer as a "Nidiologist," the following brief de- scription of a nest found by the writer, may interest " Museum '" readers. While out on March 29th, last, start- ing the " '93 Oological " collecting a few miles down the beautiful Tennessee river, myself and two friends com- menced a diligent search for the eggs of Black and Turkey Vultures, who nest in common along the rocky cliffs overhanging the river. We knew of one favorite hole or cave of the "Buz- zards," w^hich was on account of its central and perpendicular location al- ways considered inaccessible, but just to find out whether the birds were nest- ing, one of my friends threw a large stone over the edge of the cliff, making a great noise in its descent and a ter- rific splash when it reached the water. Almost immediately and first, with a yell sailed out a beautiful female Duck Hawk followed by two Black Vultures. We hailed the appearance of the first with surprise and delight as this bird was the first we had observed in the breeding season, and my eyes rested in imagination on a beautiful set of eggs, almost within our grasp. However, having no means of descent down the overhanging cliff, after a little delib- eration we concluded to assail the posi- tion later with the necessary accesso- ries. So leaving the Duck Hawk with her loud monotonous Kack-kak-kak-kak as she flew up and down in front of the cliff, we returned to our boat and home without a single specimen of "Oology" to mark the first hunt of the season, but more enthusiastic than ever. The next opportunity occurred on April 4th, when with rope ladder, sur- plus ropes, guns, lunch, etc., we jump- ed into our boat and were soon beneath the homes of our rapacious feathered friends. After reaching the summit of the cliff, which was well-timbered with pine, cedar, and scrub-growth, I de- scended on foot as far as possible while one of my friends threw a small moun- tain or rather rolled it over the edge of the cliff in precisely the same place as on the first occasion, and to our joy, with precisely the same resutls. My location was a good one and as her slaty back made its appearance from beneath a huge overhanging limestone rock one great obstacle was overcome and the key to the position was in my grasp. I called to my friends to stand directly over the spot and we soon had our rope-ladder, 35 feet long, attached to an overhanging cedar. Taking off shoes, hat and coat I was soon dang- ling a hundred feet above the river, but having been a gymnastic prize- taker and a light-weight, I felt as much at home as one can under the circum- stances. In two minutes I was at the end of my rope but fortunately it was not more than about three feet from the ledge which was two feet, appar- ently, in width, with a scrub cedar of stout growth on its outer edge. I could 70 THE MUSEUM. From photo loaned liy VViird's Natural 8oienc-e E>tal)lisli'>iriit The piibli-^liei- of t lie Museum has just secured valuable machinery for cuttiugaud polishiug shells and minerals. see nothing but a scant growth of long fine grass, but on gaining a foot-hold and kneeling down for safety I beheld a fine set of three eggs laid on a dry sandy bed, from which the grass had apparently been pulled aw^ay, no nest whatever, a few bones and dirty featli- ers, particles of small land shells, con- stituted the home of this beautiful Falcon. The ledge measured 30 inches at its widest part and in extreme length about 4 feet; though it tapered off somewhat acutely at cither ciul. The female who had been very vcjcifcr- ous during my visit, was joined by the male and once or twice they came with a rush towards the nesting site, but would check themselves abruptly and sail upwards. My friends could have shot them easily but at my instigation they were not molested. Even had we shot them they would inevita- bly have fallen into the swift current beneath and probably have been lost. I sent the eggs up by means of a string attached to my collecting case, and was soon after them. This was my first take of this species and I naturally felt proud of them, though subsecjuently they were found to be far advanced in incubation and the lusty young Pereg- renis were remo.yed with great diffi- culty. They had the usual rich red brown cloudings and mottling, and one had several large markings of blue- gray. The average measurement being 2. 15 X 1.73. William W. Wake. Knoxville, Tenn. THE MUSEUM. 71- Industries of Animals. Among animals, as well as human beings, we find the art of ' hunting and fishing, of storing food in houses made for its reception, of domesticating vari- ous species and of harvesting and reap- ing-— the rudiments of the chief human industries. Some animals take advan- tage of natural caverns in the same manner as do many races of primitive man. Others, like the rodents, dig out dwellings in the earth; even to-day there are regions where man does not act otherwise. Woven dwellings, con- structed with materials entangled to- gether, like the nests of birds, proceed from the same method of manufacture as the wollen stuffs of which nomad tribes make their tents. The beavers who build huts of wood and of mud, and the termites who con- struct vast dwellings of clay, have in this industry reached the same point as man. Although they do not build their dwellings so well, nor in so com- plex a fashion as modern architects, yet they work in the same way. All of these ingenious little architects work without organs specially adapted to ac- complish the effect which they reach. It is of these genuine industries that we wish to speak in the present article. Struggles OF the Chase. Among the birds, none display more remarkable qualities for hunting and conquering the game, than does the Secretary Bird, [Gypogrrauus rcptili- vo?-us.) His food consists of the most deadly of poisonous snakes, and his great success depends upon his quick- ness in striking without being struck, since the fangs of his prey might give him a mortal wound at the first blow. In South Africa he pursues every snake, whether venomous or not, and so terrible is his attack that the snakes seem to feel that their only safety lies in flight. When the snake is cornered he suddenly turns round, and prepares to use his defensive weapons. The bird also stops, and turns in one of his wings to protect the lower part of his body. A terrific duel then begins. The snake throws himself upon his enemy, who at each stroke parries with the end of his wing; the fangs of the snake are buried in feathers which terminate the end of the wing, and leave their poison without producing any effects. While the Secretary bird is parrying with one wing it is repeated- ly striking with the other, until the reptile is stunned, and ceases to resist. The bird then thrusts its beak into the skull, throws the reptile about in the air for a time, and finally swallows him. Hunting wtth Projectiles. We often hear people remark that man is the only animal endowed with sufficient intelligence to utilize as weap- ons exterior objects like a stone or stick; and it is still more strongly stated that he is the only creature who can use these projectiles for striking at a dist- ance. It is quite true, nevertheless, that creatures very low in the scale of organization are known to use projec- tiles with extreme skill for securing their prey. In the rivers of India lives a fish, Toxotes jacnlator by name, whose principal food is formed by the insects who live about the leaves of aquatic plants. Were our fish to wait until they fell into water he would soon starve. Should he leap at them, the noise of breaking from the water would cause them to fly before he could reach them. So what does our Toxotes do> 72 THE MUSEUM. Culcita pentangularis. Gray. A Pacific form of Starfish, of a solid form and sort of reddish brown color. As can be seen from cut the upper surface is covered with minute tubercles while the under surface is covered with small tubercles in regular order. but draw in a movth-full of water, con- tract his mouth, and eject it with such force and precision as to seldom miss his aim, and bring the pray into the water where he eats it at leisure. Many animals are known to squirt vari- ous liquids, both for defense and attack. The Cephatopods, those quaint mollusk of the ocean, emit ink when disturbed, which so darkens the water as to con- ceal them from their enemies and en- able them to fiee unobserved. Many insects exude bitter or fetid liquids; in •these cases, and in others too numer- ous to mention, the animal finds in his -own organism a secretion which he finds more or less useful to his consrva- tion. In the Toxotcs, however, the •case is different, for he takes up a for- eign body which he aims at an intend- ed victim, which he strikes. It is this method which is more correctly com- pared with the organized hunting of man. Other fish, as the CJiclinous of Java, has been seen to do the same thing, and to repeat the operation un- til he accomplishes his object. Utilization of Captured Game. After an animal has captuted his prey it frequently becomes a queston of how to make use of it, either because the eatable parts are buried in a thick shell, or because he has captured some animal which rolls itself into a ball and is covered with sharp bristles or plumes. Many times a bird is perplexed as to how it is going to carry off a round ob- ject which has no projections. An ex- ample of this is found in our common Red-headed Woodpecker {Mc/aiicrpcs ej-j'throccphalns.) He is very fond of robbing orchards and is also very greedy. After filling up on all he can eat, he considers the best way of car- rying another apple off for a further meal. This he accomplishes by plung- ing his open beak into the apple, the two beaks entering separately and hold- ing firmly; he then detatchcs it and files away to some retreat. When the animal makes use of some foreign body, as a tool or a fulcrum, to achieve some object, it more nearly approaches the acts of man. A snake frequently swallews an entire eg^ with THE MUSEUM. 73 unbroken shell; as he cannot digest it "in this condition and as the muscles of his stomach are not strong enough to break it, he is compelled to strke his body against some hard object or coil himself around them until he breaks the envelope of the egg. Our Shrike or Butcher-bird {La)iius ■ cxciibitor) has a bad reputation for im- paling his victims on thorns; this he does because his beak and claws are not strong enough to tear his prey eas- ily. His usual method is to install himself in a comfortable spot, impale his victim on a thorn or pointed branch, and then devour it in threads. The Laniiis Co/lnrio, a nearly allied bird, prepares a small larder before feasting, and one may frequently see a row of victims stuck side by side on thorns — -crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, frogs, and even young birds. The Formation of Dwellings. Among animals the formation of dwellings more or less elaborate has been noted for many years. One of the most notable of these nests is that of the stickleback, which is woven from grass and alyce, and after the fe- male has laid her eggs the male re- mains near to guard the young fish from marauding enemies. Among birds, however, we find the most expert artisans in the art of build- ing dwellings. We may see them at any time in the spring carrying a mor- sel of straw, a hair from a horse's tail, ■or a tuft of wool which has become caught in some bush. The coarser pieces are chosen to make the frame- work, while the finer, softer pieces are reserved to form a lining on the inside. These nests, which lie hidden in the "depth of a thicket, or in a crotch in top of a tree, are certainly little master pieces of skill and patience. It would seem that the art of sewing was reserved for mankind only, yet there is a bird called very appropriately the Tailor bird, {OrtJiotonuis longian- di(s,) who has solved the difficulty and prepares the most beautiful sewed nests. They place their nests in a single large leaf which they carefully prepare for this purpose. With their beaks they pierce two rows of holes along the two edges of the leaf and then pass a stout thread from one side to the other alternately. With this leaf they form a horn in which they weave their nest with cotton or hair. More wonderful is the fact that the thread used is spun by twisting in its beak spider's webs; bits of cotton, and pieces of wool. Knots have also been found at the ends of the threads. We cannot but admire the animal who has so successfully triumphed over obsta- cles which even perplexed early man. Away off in China lives a swallow, who builds his nest of a gelatinous sub- stance formed either of the spawn of fish or the eggs of mollusca or a little sea-moss; this they carry to a perpen- dicular wall or cliff, and apply it to form an arc of a circle. When the first deposit is dry it is increased by sticking on to its edge a new deposit. In this manner the tiny dwelling grad- ually assumes the shape of a cup, which, when completed, receives the builder's eggs. The nests are the famous "Edi- ble birds' nest " so much appreciated by epicures in the extreme East. Our common swallow is a most in- interesting mason. In the spring he may be seen working at his nest in the corner of a window. It is usually built in an angle, so that the then ex- 74 THE MUSEUM. >^- Acauthaster Solaris, M. & T. A very large, many armed species, the whole upper surface of which is covered with spines:- almost au inch in length. An inhabitant of the Pacitie, mainly Mauritius. isting walls may be utilized, and still leave an enclosed space for the nest. The form of the nest is usually a quar- ter of a sphere, and the bird begins it by applying earth more or less mixed with chopped hay, against the walls which are to support the dwelling. A hole is left at the summit for exit and entry. It is an interesting fact that the builder of these nests return to them for many years in succeesion, as long as the dwelling remains intact. Among ants we find numerous in- stances of intelligence and great indus- try. Although so far removed from man by their anotomical structure, yet their psychic faculties- are nearest to him. They have passed through an evolution not unlike that which^has brought man from his primitive condi- tion to the proud position which he now occupies. Like man, the brain of ants has undergone a disproportion- ate development. Like man, they possess a language, which enables them to communicate with each other and to combine thc^r efforts. It may be said with trutli that there is no hu- man industry in which these insects have not arrived at a high degree of perfection. The Xcuroptcrous insects known as ''white ants" {l\T}iiitcs) build a palace which rivals a modern city in its complex construction. Their dwellings, if compared with those of man, are colossal in size. Their nests. THE MUSEUM. 75 Orcastcr turritus, M. & T. A fine PaciMc form frequenting the Pelew Islands. J ^^^• Goiiiastcr eqticstris, Gmel. Found on coast of England. Fine larj species greatly admired. have been found measuring fifteen feet in height, or, to make a more remark- able comparison, one thousand times the length of the builder. Even the Eiffel Tower or the Ferris Wheel, is only a hundred and eighty-seven times the average height of man. If built upon the same scale as the Tcniiitcs it would have to be 4,800 feet. This wonderful insect builds a hil- lock in the form of a cupola. The in- terior arrangement is very complicated, but at the same time wonderfully well adapted to the wants of the inhabit- ants. In all there are four stories covered by the exterior walls. The walls of the dome are very thick, the clay, in drying, attains a hardness like brick ; it is said that the sentinels of herds of wild cattle choose these tumuli as observatories, and do not break them down. The exterior wall sof the nest are hollowed by galleries of two kinds; some horizontal, giving access from the outside to all the stories, the others mounting spirally in the thickness of the wall to the summit of the dome. These little passages, however, are only used during the construction of the nest by the masons when build- ing the cupola, and are left to be util- ized again should a break in the nest occur. The lower ends of these gal- leries are very wide and sink into the earth beneath the palace to a depth of more than four and a half feet. These subterranean passages are to be com- pared with the catacombs of the old European cities. Their origin is sim- ilar and they are ancient quarries hol- lowed out in obtaining the necessar}' clay for the construction of the palace. They also serve as drains, when the rainy season begins, to carry off the water. The foregoing facts demonstrate that THE MUSEUM. the industries in which the talents of animals are exercised, under the influ- ence of the same environments, have been reached in the same manner as man, and have formed the same com- binations to protect themselves from cold or heat, to defend themselves against the attacks of enemies, and to insure sufficient provision of food du- ring those times when it is scarce or cannot be procured. Man, of course, excels all animals in his mental devel- opment, yet this development does not differ in kind, only in intensity, from those beings below him in the organic scale. Frank C. Baker. Chicago Academy of Sciences. Nidorclla aniiata. Gray A beautiful species, tlie upper sui'face of which is covered with conical spines which are arranged in (juite regnhir order. Average specimens three to four inches. Frequenting Pacific coast from Lower California south- ward. Hudsonian Chickadee. Parus hudsoiiicus. — /'orst. I have found these little fellows -everywhere on island and mainland that I have been and their cheerful presence has dee-dee-dee'ed away ap- proaching blues more than once. I first met them at Old Fort Island, where they would frequently come and perch upon the roof of the house, and occasionally fly in at the door-way and pick up the crumbs from the floor; they were very tame and would even allow you to catch them without much opposition. Their flight was rapid and being so small in size, they would come and go with the suddenness of a shadow, and one could seldom follow their flight for any distance. They often fly off in a zigzag series of straight lines, as if uncertain in which direc- tion to go, and as often return to their former port, the roof of the house, as if fully aware that that was the safest place after all. I have stood in some open spots of ground, not a retreat near me, and scanned the air every- where about for a sign of life in vain, when suddenly a whirr, a dee-dee of derision or of triumph, and the little fellow had appeared and disappeared without my even having caught a sight of him. Their favorite resting place seemed to be on the roofs of houses. The people of the coast are very fond of them and call them woodpeckers. They would frequently caution me with "now don't you go and shoot my little woodpeckers." I found them all about the islands among the low, and stunted growths of fir and spruce. If I pretended to watch them they would hide in the evergreen, not even chirp- ing, and remain there sometimes for nearly an hour, while I walked about softly and peered around to see them — they running or creeping out of sight or remaining perfectly still be- THE MUSEUM. 7r Hcliaster Kubiugii, Xanthus. Commonly called The Mexican Sun Dial. A very curious, many armed species, found along the Pacitic coast from Lower California southward. Astropecteii bispiiiosiis, M. & T., Commonly called Chinese Star. Much ad- mired on account of perfect five rays, upper surface being covei'ed with fine star shaped points, and the edges set with two rows of sharp pointed spines, a quarter of an inch in. length. hind some bough until forced to fly. Sometimes they would give me the slip entirely, and often the most suc- cessfully when there was apparently the least chance of their escape with- out detection. They were on the mainland in low growths, and in the woods when no other apparent living creature was about; in midday, at ear- ly morn or late evening. They were everywhere when you least expected to see them, and when you were look- ing for them, not one could be found, search high or low. Veritable "Brownies" all around, when lo! in a second, the places that teemed with them were as silent and deserted as the grave. In my residence on the coast I grew very fond of these little fellows. If at times they were shy and retreating, they as often displayed the inquisitive - side of their nature. In wandering listlessly about. with no apparant ob- ject but to kill time, we have passed many delightful hours together. If in the heat of midday or the cool of eve- ning I have sought me out a conven- ient and sheltered retreat, I had not long to wait before several would ap- pear. We will remain still for a moment and see what they will do. At length one bolder than the rest, jumps upon a sprig of spruce about five feet from my body. As the bow bends and tilts the little fellow to and fro, which op- peration he appears to love amazingly, he balances himself deftly peers up and down land around cautiously, then launches into a most furious tirade of dee-dee-dee's that wake the echoes ins 78 THE MUSEUM. the old wood, and seems a signal of safety and a call for gathering of every Chickadee within twenty yards around. Then they began to gather. Every bush swarms with them. I remain still, and the cautious little fellows hop nearer. If I move they are off; if I remain perfectly still they hop around and over me without the slight- est hesitation. My large boots seem the object of the greatest curiosity to them, and more than once several good sized overflow meetings appar- ently took them for a text and preach- ed with great success, each bird in his turn, then altogether upon this topic alone. At last, and somewhat uncon- ciously, one toe moves several inches, when whist! the panic that ensues is fearful and the meeting overflows and all breaks up in an instant. A whish of many wings, a vindicative ee-ee-ee, growing fainter and fainter, then ceas- ing altogether, and I am positively alone. Did I wait ten minutes they would all come back; but my atten- tion is called in another direction. The Hudsonian Titmouse breeds in the interior, all up and down the coast, where it prefers the tangled un- dergrowth so difficult of access. Its note is wheezed and not a clear pro- nounced "dee," repeated several times. — By Winfred A. Stearns in "Bird Notes in Labrador." The Florida Phosphate Rock. The ordinary phosphate of commerce so indispensible to the farmer, is, in its raw state, a rock of a peculiar forma- tion, found chiefly in Florida, with a few out-croppings in the adjacent states of Georgia and South Carolina. A full discussion of this subject belongs to the agricultural journals, but there is one phase which it is the especial province of a journal having the scope of the Museum to consider. This is the origin and formation of the rock. Phosphate rock ow^es its name to the fact that it contains a very large per- centage of phosphate of lime, a sub- stance which does not enter to any great extent into the composition of other rocks. It is this fact that gives it a commercial value as well as a ge- ological interest. The origin of the rock is not perfectly understood and various theories have been advanced concerning it; some of which are non- sensical, others, at first appearing to be sound but evaporating when a more thorough knowledge is had, and a few which, to a greater or less extent, seem to stand the test, and one which, in the light of present knowledge fully explains the matter and may be assumed to be correct. To understand it thoroughly it is necessary to review briefly, the geological history of Florida. Until a comparatively recent date, the peninsula of Florida had no exist- ence. The Gulf Stream entered what is now the Gulf of Mexico, swept its western and northern shores, and, emerging hugged closely to the south- eastern corner of the United States. At length the Mississippi river deposit- ed enough sediment at its mouth to change the direction of its current af- ter reaching the ocean. It now bore to the south-east, directly against the Gulf Stream, and with sufficient force to slightly deflect the latter. One re- sult of this deflection was the forma- tion of a quiet place at the point where the Gulf Stream turned towards the THE MUSEUM. 79 north, into which sediment, held in sus- pension was deposited. In the pro- cess of time this deposit became a huge hill, or rather a succession of hills, reach- ing nearly to the surface. Then the coral insect was carried thither, and, at length the deposit of mud became a series of coral islands. The work of the coral insect was continued until the islands were united into one long reef; then, bending at each extremity towards the north, it finally united each end with the mainland and formed a la- goon of stagnant water in the interior. The creation of this reef still further detiected the Gulf Stream, and, by an exactly similar process, a second reef was created enclosing a similar lagoon; then, still further to the south, came the third, then the fourth, and then the fifth. And now the same influences are at work in the long string of islands off the southern extremity of Florida, and, after the lapse of a sufficient number of years, a sixth reef will be added and the peninsula of Florida will extend still farther to the south. So far as we can foresee, this will con- tinue until the Gulf Stream will be shut out from the Gulf of Mexico, the results of which we cannot predict. But to return to the phosphate. These lagoons, as soon as the water be- came still, began to teem with animal life peculiar to the geological period and their own physical conditions. Now nearly every living organism secretes from its food, or drink, or from the element in which it Hves, certain mineral substances with which to build the framework of its system. The principal minerals thus secreted are carbonate of lime, phos- phate of lime, and silica. In all of the vertebrates, carbonate of lime greatly preponderates. In some of the- mol- lusks, carbonate of lime forms the greater portion ; in others a greater percentage of phosphate of lime is found, and in some, as the Lingula, for instance, the shell ,is composed almost entirely of it. Certain of the Foramin- iierx also secrete phosphate of lime in large quantities; as do certain Infuso- rise. We know that in geological ages, certain forms of animal life existed, which secreted carbonate of lime in such quantities, and in such numbers that \ast deposits of that substance were formed by the death and disinte- gration of the respective forms; and it seems very probable that in the lagoons already described and which from vari- ous causes became filled, there existed, in certain localities, species of Mollusks which formed their external shells of phosphate of lime, and that the death of these Mollusks and the consequent disintegration of their shells created the deposits which we now know as phos- phate rock. Dusky Grouse- Dendragapus Obscurus. The dusky Grouse is resident, and by no means uncommon in the heavily wooded ranges of the Gallinass Valley in North Central, New Mexico. Its immigrations if they can be properly so called, seems to be from the Aspen Groves in the foot-hills, where they nest, to the Coniferous belts during winter. They are hardly common enough to be found in the markets. Still they are excellent eating though they at some seasons at least have a somewhat musky flavor, which is by no means unpleasant. They are tame 8o THE MUSEUM. ■■■^'r:^i^SK:'^Minfc ik' ■ -i/ View from Fanolone Islands off San Francisco, Calif., showing the immense Colonies of California Murres. and unsuspicious and consequently are easily procured when once in their haunts. They share the habit of Grouse in general, of rising' abrn})tl\' with a whirring noise generally but a few feet in advance of the huntsman. They fly some distance and alighting, remain motionlc'ss after the manner of the Ruffed Grouse. Specimens fre- quently measure twenty-four inches in length, so that the; Dusky (irouse is one of the largest of the Grouse family. They are generally hunted in the month of August before the young are fully grown, but the ])roper time is du- ring September. They leave the As- pen Grov(!S in the latter part of au- tunm, retiriiig to the ]^ine belts where they subsist largely iijjon the lea\es of the Conifeara'. 1 have found newly- hatched chicks by the 2 1st of June at an altitude of 9,400 ft. They were about the s\zc of domestic chicks with their heads and backs beautifully strip- ed with brown. A man living in the mountains once captured three of these chicks, which he took to his ranch and gave them in- charge of a domestic hen, having a brood of chicks of her own about the size of the young grouse. One of these died but the other two lived to become of fair si/t; and then departed to the woods to shift for themselves. I have never known this grouse t(j make any other note except a clucking something similar to that of a domestic hen. Their nesting habits do not appear to to differ essentially from those of other grouse. J£mI':ks()N Atkins, Formerly of East Las Veqas, K. M. Santa Clara, Calif., I^ov. 25, 1894. Dear Mr. Webl):— I iwust say that the Nov. MusKUM has eoinr to hand and a most pleasant surprise it is! 'I'ln' make-up is ixry neat and eonlcnts (jooil. Is is totally unlilie any iJuljlication in the lit'ld and I jn'cdiet a prospei'ous life for it. Cordially Yours, C. Baki.ow. THE MUSEUM. 8i THE MUSEUM. A Monthly Magazine devoted to Ornithology, Oology, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Mineralogy and Allied Sciences. Walter F. Webb, Editor and Pub'r, Albion, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest on above top- ics, as well as notes on the various Museums of the World— views from same, discoveries relative to the handling and keeping of Natural History material, descriptive habits of various species, are solicited from all. Make articles as brief as possible and as free from technical terms as the subjects will allow. All letters will be promptly answered. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Single Subscription $1.00 per annum Sample Copies 10c each ADVERTISING RATES. l.T Cents per Nonpareil line each insertion. Twelve lines to the inch. Advertisements continued three months or more, 13 cents per line. Six months or more, per line, 10c. Twelve months or more, per line, So. Gash must accompany all orders. Remittances should be made by Draft, Express or Post Office Order or Registered Letter. Unused U. S. Postage Stamps of any denonination accepted for small amounts. The $1.00 Columbian stamps, unused, will be accepted at rate of ^1.75 each. WALTER F. WEBB. ALBION. ORLEANS CO., N. Y. NOTES. Some rare birds mounted at our es- tablishment since the last issue, were the Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis, and Em- peror Goose, all males and in perfect pi u mi age. logical collection. It can be bought right, and we trust those able to pur- chase, and desiring such, will write him. We have a very interesting letter from Dr. J. W. Velie, of St. Joseph, Mich., relative to his large collection. The Doctor desires to sell same to some Museum, if possible, and we can heartily recommend it, comprising as it does, very choice collections of mounted Mammals, Birds. Reptiles, Fish, and Skeletons, Minerals, Fossils, Corals, Shells, Land, Fresh Water and Marine, Sponges, Birds' Nests and Eggs, as well as a very fine Archteo- Attention is called to our advertis- ers. We have reason to believe all are strictly reliable, and here wish to announce, as I do not think it has been before mentioned, that if any reader of this journal at any time, should be unfairly dealt with, by any of our advertisers, we would be pleased to be informed of the facts. It is with regret that we have been obliged to decline some advertisements for this issue, as we have abundant proof that the parties referred to are either, wil- fully or innocently doing a crooked business. The results were so very satisfactory that we have decided to continue our premium offer with some changes. We want all our friends to subscribe while this offer holds good, as we can- not promise to continue it beyond the February issue. To those who are not able to accept it prior to that time, if they will kindly write us a line, stating the facts, we will enter them as a regular subscriber, and send the premiums when they are able to remit. We hope to hear from all who intend to take the Museum, sooner or later, in response to this notice. W' e note an ' ' unsolicited testimon- ial" in one of our exchanges, " The Oologist." Thanks, brother Lattin. We append a slight review of same and other matter from the same source, in another column of this issue. 82 THE MUSEUM. With this number we present a number of cuts of shells and Starfish. We had a large number of letters ex- pressing thanks for inserting the few in November Museum; and trust these given with the short notes added, may be of equal interest, We would be much pleased to have our friends along the Atlantic and Pacific shores, or those in distant lands who receive this copy of The Museum, to write up de- tailed accounts of the Mollusca or Echinodermata of their respective ter- ritory. Reliable information on the latter is especially wanted, as there are very few good works on the subject. A new feature that we expect to in- corporate in the February Mu'^eum, is a department of Mammalogy, vvhich is to be handled by an experienced stu- dent of this branch of Science, who has had large experience in the field as well as " The closet." His non de plume, will be "Tyro" and all com- munications for insertion under this head, must be addressed "Tyro," care of "The Museum," Albion, N. Y. Just at this period, when all branches of Natural History are making such rapid strides, a guarantee to our read- ers, of interesting notes on Mammalia, will be hailed by all true Naturalists with delight. The Publisher of The Museum, is anxious to make this de- partment a sweeping success, and asks all parties who have made a special study of any kind of mammal, large or small, to write up notes on same, making as brief as possible and yet covering necessary details, and for- ward as above directed. All will be duly acknowledged. We have received through the court- esy of Mr. Whitmer Stone, Curator of the Ornithological Section of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, a copy of the Birds of Eastern Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey. The frontis- piece is a fine portrait of Alexander Wilson, taken from a drawing now in the Philadelphia Academy and former- ly the property of George Ord. The work proper consists first of an intro- ductory chapter on Geographical Dis- tribution and Migration, prepared un- der the direction of the Delaware Val- ley Ornithological Club, and illustrated with admirable cuts. Second with descriptions of such birds as have been recorded in the territory under consid- eration, outlining their breeding range, and winter distribution. We note many extremely rare species that have been recorded in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey coast, and heartily re- commend the work to all active ornith- ologists. It contains nearly 200 pages, finely printed and bound in neat cloth, Address Whitmer Stone, Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, or send Publisher of The Museum $2 bill and we will send book prepaid and a years subscription to the Museum. A REVIEW. If any of our patrons have received a bundle of circulars recently, in which are outlined so called facts, and extra- ordinary statements, some of which are evidently designed as direct thrusts at the editor of The Museum, and in a later mail read the soap-soapy edi- torials calculated to in a measure atone for past deeds &c. , we will simply add that the whole batch of stuff is char- THE MUSEUM. 83 ^cteristic of thej author 'and as such will doubtless be treated accordingly. We have for some months been filling a good large percentage of said party's orders, and as for the " chest- nuty " stock and various other remarks they compare very well with the news- paper article written up by an entire stranger at $2 a column, also the "various mammoth warehouses and museums, &c.," which are all summed up in one shop (formerly a barn) prob- ably 20x26. Space will not permit us to further review these most extra- ordinary epistles, but if any of our friends haven't seen them yet, advise us and we will furnish them a copy, from the stock that has already been sent to our office, most of which were side lined with remarks we do not care to print. The Chimney Swift. The Chimney Swift, which is com- monly, but erroneously, called the Chimney Swallow, justly deserves by reason of its peculiar nest, to be called one of the most interesting of New England birds. At the present time it is comparatively rare at least in this immediate locality, but, if we may credit the statements made by the older historians, and by our old men, who, themselves heard it from their grand- fathers, the bird once existed here in prodigious numbers. It is named from the fact, that at the present time it generally builds its nest in the interior of an unused chimney. Rarely it builds in the gables of old barns. Its nest it composed of small crook- ed twigs, curiously and ingeniously in- terlocked and woven together and cem- ented by a yellowish, translucent sub- stance which closely resembles glue, and which, I believe is manufactured by the bird itself, by means of a series of organs specially for the purpose and which are situated in the bird's mouth. By means of this substance the nest is firmly attached to the interior of a chimney, or to the perpendicular end of a barn. The heat of the sun durinpf a warm summer day is sufficient to melt the glue and this the bird seems to understand, for the nest is never built where the sun's rays can reach it. The glue is likewise soluble in water but this fact the bird does not seem ro realize, for the nest is frequently built in a chimney in such a position that the the rains, entering the chimney dissolve the glue and allow the con- tents to drop. Before the country was settled the bird was accustomed to build its nest in hollow trees. It was then, gregar- ious and hundreds of birds sometimes occupied the same tree. Now, how- ever, it is extremely rare to find more than a single nest in the same building. I know of a nest in a barn which has been occupied every season for at least sixteen years and from one to three broods have been raised each year and yet but one pair of birds has ever re- turned in the spring, and so far as I have been able to discover no other nest has been built nearer than two miles. At the present time it is be- lieved that the bird never builds in trees, its residence being either in a barn or in a chimney and generally in the latter place. During the whole of my collecting I have not found more than half a dozen nests except in chim- neys. When in this location the eggs may be collected with very little difii- H THE MUSEUM. culty, simply by fastening a small, well lined box to the end of a pole — a joint- ed fish pole is best — and holding it just below the nest, then with another pole gently detach the nest and allow it with its contents to fall into the box. In this locality where the manufac- ture of maple sugar is an important in- dustry and nearly every farm has a set of buildings specially for the purpose, and which are occupied only a few weeks during the months of March and April, the chimneys of these buildings are a favorite resort. Prof. Cook in "Birds of Michigan" cites an instance of Chimney Swift occupying an abon- doned nest of a Barn Swallow. While giving the professor much credit for his work, I believe him to be mistaken in this case. I do not think the Swift ever occupies the nest of any other bird, though possibly it might do so if its own nest should be destroyed just as the bird was about to lay its eggs. The eggs of the Phoebe are of a similar size and color as those of the Swift and might be mistaken for them and its nest is similar to and in some in- stances closely resembles that of the Barn Swallow, and I believe that the correspondent of Prof. Cook mistook the eggs of a Phoebe for those of a Swift and its nest for that of a Barn Swallow. I have already alluded to the fact tnat formerly the Swift made use of hollow trees for nesting places. I wish now to more fully describe some of these trees and especially note a most singular circumstance connected therewith. Wilson described a sycamore in Ohio five feet in diameter which had doubt- less been used by thousands of birds, perhaps for centuries, for its immense hollow was found to be filled for a. space of fifteen feet with feathers, ex- crement, rotten wood and the exuvia of insects. Hundreds of similar trees differing only in size and species, have been found in this state, but only in a single instance so far as I know have they received any particular attention. A tree was found at Middlebury, some years ago the diameter of the hollow- of which was about fifteen inches. This cavity was filled for a depth of seven feet with the same material as the one described by Wilson. Now, had the feathers been scattered prom- iscuously throughout the mass there would have been nothing remarkable about it; but such was not the case. The feathers were nearly all carefully arranged with the quills pointing out, and the plumes pointing towards the center of the cylindrical mass, and were mostly arranged in layers each layer being between an alternate layer of other refuse. This arrangement might, possibly be accounted for by supposing that squirrels or other small quadrupeds had habitually nested in the hollow and had so placed the feathers for the pur- pose of making a more comfortable bed. But this arrangement is by no means the most curious circumstance con- nected with the deposit. Scattered through the mass were found a large number of wing and tail feathers ar- ranged with relation to each other, ex- actly as they belonged in the living bird. In many instances the second- aries were occupying their relative po- sitions, both in relation to one another and to the primaries. In no case were any other feathers than those of the wing and tail so found and in no- THE MUSEUM. 85 case were any bones, beaks, claws or other parts of the bird found. Now the question arises, how came these feathers in this position.'' They could not have been so dropped by the living bird; nor would any bird or animal have sufficient intelligence to so arrange them. The most reason- able conclusion seems to be that the birds died and were buried by the ac- cumulations above. But in this case what has become of the remainder of the bird? We know of no insect that would devour all the bird except the wings and tail feathers and leave those intact. Had any animal eaten the re- mainder the feathers must have been displaced. Nor do we know of any chemical agent which could have been formed by the decomposition of the mass or otherwise that would dissolve the flesh, bones and small feathers and have no effect upon the large ones. The question remains unanswered and we await replies. Meantime a specimen showing the alternate layers and the feathers in the positions as described has been placed in the museum of the University of Vermont where it may be seen by any visitor. C. O. Ormsbee, Montpelier, Vt. Walter F. Webb, Esq., Albion, N. Y. Dear Sir:— The sample copy of the Museum just received, for which please accept my best thanks. You must allow me to congrat- ulate you for adding such a jewel to the study of Natural Science. I will do my best, and try and get some new subscribers. You can consider me one for life. Yours Truly, Jno. W. Daniels Jr. Naturalist, Lynchburg, Va. ARCTIC NOTES- On the Habitsof certain Rare Nor- thern Birds in Commander Islands and Kamtskat- k.a» by Leonhard Stejneger, Taken from his exceUent Report to the U. S. National Museum, continued from December number. Red-backed Sandpiper. Tringalpina pacifica. Several specimens were collected on May 26th and 28th, '82, on Behring Island, where they were evidently on their spring imigration. It arrives and departs with the other Sandpipers. Does not breed. Greenshauk. Lotanus ncbiilarius. Specimens collected, May 2d to 23d, 1883. It occurs regularly on the 'Islands in the spring but does not breed there as far as I know. Wandering Tattler. Hetcractitis incai)ius. This species comes to the islands dur- ing the latter part of May, and may then be met with on the stony beach, close to the waters' Q^g&, in pairs or in very small troups. At the time of their arrival they are less shy than to- taniue birds generally, but their con- duct changes after awhile, so that I only once, on Copper Island, in the middle of July, observed a single spec- imen during the summer, although I feel suspicious they breed there. Its habits are rather peculiar in many re- spects, reminding one of the Oyster- catcher. It carries its body much in the same manner as Actitis niactila- ria, but very seldom flirts its tail up and down like the latter, nor has it much of the peculiar movement of the head and neck as the Spotted 86 THE MUSEUM. p'per. It is a much more quiet bird, very often standing immovable for a long while staring down into the water. Its flight is graceful and very rapid. Its voice loud and harsh, al- most screaming. I only met it among rocks and stones, seldome if ever on the sandy beaches. American White- fronted Goose. A user alb i f roil s gain be/ i. A specimen was shot on Bering Island. It seems to occur regularly during the spring migration, but doubt- less does not breed. Hutchin's Goose. B rant acana dens is JiuteJiinsii. I found this species breeding in small numbers on Bering Island, where I observed them repeatedly on the large swamp east of the village, and where afterwards an adult was shot and one of the six downy young cap- tured. My hope that the latter might escape being eaten by any of the six hundred dogs of the village was not fulfilled. In 1883 the first arrivals were announced on the 2d of May, and on the 9th of June a male was killed near Saranna. This species has been found breeding on the Kurile Islands and seems to pass the winter in Japan. Pintail. Dajila acuta. The first birds were observed April 23rd. Four days later they were seen in the neighborhood of the village. From this time on they were seen everywhere in suitable places, as this species is undoubt- edly the most numerous among the fresh water Ducks on the island. Still on the 20th of May, I found them in flocks but soon the pairs dispersed over the tundras and the swamps of the valleys, and already the 4th of June a nest with seven eggs was se- cured on Toparkofl Island ; six days after another nest with five eggs was taken. Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus Jiistrionicus. This species inhabits the rocky shores of the Commander Islands, in large numbers all the year around, and larg- er or smaller flocks may almost at any time be seen, diving and swimming near the breakers, where the high and inaccessible promontories tower up from the sea or long, shallow and stony reefs stretch out from the shore for a quarter of a mile or more. It loves the surfs and rocks and is, perhaps, more expert in diving "at shot " than any other duck, not being particularly shy, however. I watched their large assemblages during the whole spring of 1883 and noted solid flocks at Bering Island, as late as the middle of June, and on Copper Island on July 1st, the latter, however, con- sisting of adult males, all in their most beautiful plumage. The natives or residents knew of no instance of its eggs or its small young having been taken or seen; nor did I succeed in finding any evidence of its breeding, so that I have little doubt but that the numerous flocks which remain over summer consist of birds not propaga- ting during that season, for some rea- son or other. It is also probable that the flocks observed on July ist and later, exclusively consisting of males in full adult plumage, are composed of adult males having already left the fe- males and young on the breeding THE MUSEUM. 87 haunts, which I suspect to be the in- terior mountainous parts of Kamt- schatka. Old SyuAW Clangula liyciiialis. The males commence assuming their dark nuptial plumage about the mid- dle of April, most of them being in full change the latter part of the month. The time varies a great deal in differ- ent individuals, so that while two males, shot on the 2nd and 3rd of June were in full nuptial plumage an- other shot three days later had not passed through more than half of the change. It is one of the commonest ducks on Bering Island, and is a resident throughout the whole year. It breeds on all the lakes and lakelets of the island. The eggs of a full clutch con- sisted of six. Buterflies and Moth Life- The winter time, while not the best friend in which the collector of Butter- flies and Moths can exercise the talents of research and study he may possess, yet the snow and frosts do not alto- gether preclude the possibility of secur- ing some good additions to the collec- tion. Go out among the bare and gloomy looking vegetation, look well over the maples which almost invari- ably line the streets of our towns and villages. The Altociis Cecropia a prince among beautiful moths often may be taken in the cocoon in large num- bers. Beneath walnut trees you oc- casionally will make the lucky find of dozens of Attaeiis Liiiia, to my eyes the most beautiful moth in America, hanging from the Boxwood and Wild Cherry branches you sometimes find PrometJiea in considerable numbers. While the ugly Ailantlnis trees give a holding for the cradles of numerous Attictis Cynthia, which by the way, are a foreign moth, become domesti- cated. Some moths, of course do not emerge from the cocoon when the time comes for the feeding to stop and the larva to turn to the chrysalis, he de- scends to the bottom of the tree and buries himself in four or five inches of earth, there to lie until spring warms his sluggish juices into life and a new winged beauty is given to the world. The hint might be taken by some col- lectors who, wondering where the pu- pua; of certain caterpillars have gone, does not think that what is beyond the eyes-reach may be turned to the light with a spade. The main difficulty in the collecting of all sorts of Entomological specimens — cocoon, chrysalis, Moth or Butter- fly— appears to be explainable in the fact that the specimens assume such peculiar formations, especially in the Larva that they are only to be learned by study and experience does the explana- tion come for many hours of baffled study and curiosity. R. P. Froelich. New York City. Hampden, Mass., Dee. 20, 1894. Walter F. Webb, Albiou, N. Y. Dear Sir: — I wish to say a few words of thanks for your generous offer of the Mu.seum. I am more'than satisfied. It is the most in- teresting magazine I ever read. Hoping to have a larger order soon I am Respectfully Yours, Joseph T. Dalton. Toronto, December 26, 1894. Walter F. Webb, Albion, N. Y. Dear Sir: — Our advertisement in thecfirst number of The Museum has brought us in an unusual number of replies, and from a busi- ness point of view the results are excellent. We consider it is only fair to you to state these facts. Yours FaifhfuUy, Oliver Spanner & Co. 88 THE MUSEUM. Vanilla and Its Cultivation- BY F. H. KNOWLTON, PH. D. We are so accustomed to speak of vanilla as the product of the ' ' vanilla bean," that perhaps few persons are aware that it has no connection with either the bean or the bean-family, but is produced by a beautiful, sweet- scented, climbing orchid. This wide- spread error doubtless arose from the fact that the vanilla capsule or pod, which is slender, from 6 to lo inches long and only | of an inch in diameter, has a vague resemblance to certain bean-pods. It is much more like the pod of the so-called catalpa bean, which also has nothing to do with the true bean-family, being a begonia or trumpet-flower. The name is, how- ever, too firmly fixed in popular lan- guage to attempt to change it. The orchid producing the vanilla bean is know by botanists as J^ainlla planifo/ia, and is a native of Mexico and Tropical America. It has a thick, fleshy stem, oval alternace fleshy leaves, and a short spike of numerous white or greenish white sweet-smelling flowers that are curiously irregular in shape like those in most of the or- chids. The plant climbs over trees and shrubs by means of numerous slender rootlets sent out from each joint of the stem, which cling to the bark or other support. It was formerly supposed that this orchid, like so many of its relatives, was an epiphyte, that is grew upon other plants, but derived its nourishment wholly from the air, but it is now known that such is not the case. It maintains connection with the soil throughout its whole life, especially by means of the rootlets which in the lower portion of the stem reach the ground. In its wild state it climbs fifteen or twenty feet high, but in cultivation it is usually kept down within easy reach of the cultivator, for much care must be taken not to injure the unripe pods. The vanilla plant is always propa- gated by means of cuttings. In Mex- ico where it has been cultivated for nearly or quite a century, it is custom- ary to take portions of the stems two or three feet long. The leaves are re- moved from several of the lower joints and usually three joints are laid under the soil and covered to a depth of two or three inches, and the upper por- tions trained against the support pre- pared for it. The soil has to be especially prepared by trenching to a depth of 1 8 inches and must have a perfect drainage. The best soil is said to consist of fine rich loam mixed with equal parts of sand and leaf-mold. Something must be provided for the vanilla plant to climb over, and rough- barked living trees are perhaps the best, but almost anything such as rough, branching trees, trellis work, stone pillars or stone walls, may be utilized. The plants are best grown , in moderate shade, yet a certain amount of sunshine is required to ripen the pod. In its native country the vanilla flowers are fertilized by insects. That is the flowers are so constructed that it is absolutely imposible for the pol- len to reach the stigma or immature pod without external aid, and this of- fice in Mexico and Central America is performed by a peculiarly constructed moth that visits the flower for the nectar always present. The pollen- mass consists of thousands of little grains tied loosely together by deli- THE MUSEUM. 89 cate cobwebby hairs. The mass has a sticky disk that adheres to anything touching it and is torn bodily from its pocket. When ihe vanilla plant was first in- troduced into the West and East In- dies it poved for a time a great disap- pointment. The plants grew vigorous- ly and produced an abundance of fine flowers but no pods. All sorts of ex- pedients were tried in the way of cul- tivation, but to no av^il, and the cul- tivation was about to be abandoned, when the fact was discovered that the particular moth that fertilized it in Mexico was absent from its new home and consequently the plants were not able to set pods. After this, artificial pollinization was resorted to, and the pods were produced in characteristic abundance. The instrument with which this is accomplished may be a long needle or splint of bamboo, four or five inches long. It requires only a moment to do this, and one person may properly fertilize as many as a thousand flowers in a single morning. The plants usually begin to flower the second year after planting, but do not reach maturity until the third and fourth years. The pods require a month to reach full size and six months more in which to ripen. The proper time for gathering the pods is determined by the appearance of a slight yellow tinge at one end or when they crackle slightly when pinched be- tween the fingers. Theprocess of cur- ing is a long and somewhat complicated one, requiring in some cases as long as three months. Curiously enough the aroma of vanilla is said not to pre- exist in the pods, but to be produced by a process of fermentation. In Re- union, where it is extensively culti- vated, the pods are placed in a basket and plunged for half a minute into very hot, but not quite boiling water. They are then placed on mats to drain after which, for the next six or eight days, they are exposed, between wool- en blankets, to the sun, but kept in closed tin boxes during the night to undergo a slight fermentation. When the pods have become brown and soft they are placed in the shade to dry, care being taken that they do not mold. Daily they are carefully pressed between the fingers, slightly annointed with oil, which renders them supple and lustrous. When the pods are perfectly cured they are of a rich, dark chocolate color, pliable in texture, and perfectly free from moist- ure. In Mexico the curing is somewhat different. After gathering, the pods are placed under sheds in heaps until they begin to shrivel. Then they are allowed to ferment slightly, after which they are exposed to the sun in woolen blankets during the day and kept in air-tight tin boxes at night. At the end of a day or a day and a half they have assumed a rich, choc- olate brown color. They are then placed in the sun for two months or more to dry, at the end of which time they are, like the others spoken of, pliable and free from moisture. When finally prepared the pods are sorted according to lengths and tied up in bundles of 50 and the bundles are packed in air-tight tin boxes. When properly prepared and in what is called 'prime condition' the vanilla pods become covered with a frosting of little needle-like crystals of vanillic acid, are soft when pressed between. 90 THE MUSEUM. the fingers and give off the character- istic balsamic odor. The perfume or essence is extracted from the vanilla pod by prolonged soaking in alcohol. The proper pro- portion is about ^ pound of pods to each gallon of 60 per cent alcohol. The pods are cut up into small pieces and should stand for a month with an occasional shaking, when all worth extracting will be found in the alcohol. A word as to the sources of supply and quantites used may be of interest. The cities of New York, London and Paris may be regarded as the vanilla markets of the world. The supply sent to New York is produced in Mex- ico, and is regarded as the finest qual- ity grown. The amount imported in 1891 was 135,875 pounds. The Paci- fic coast and western portions of the United States obtain a part of their supply from the Island of Tahiti and the Sandwich Islands, but the quanti- ty imported in 1891 was only about 5,000 pounds. The quality is much inferior to the Mexican. The London supply is obtained largely from Mauritius and Sey- chelles, but the raising of vanilla has never assumed much importance in any of the English colonies. The greater part of the vanilla im- ported into France comes from Re- union. In 1880 the amount was 164,289 pounds and in 1889 it had in- creased to 506,463 pounds, or more than twice the product of the rest of the world. — Popular Science Nezvs: Boulder, Colorado, Dec, 24, '94 W. F. Webb., Dear Sir:— The Dec. Muskum just arrived. It brings a "come to stay" air witli it, and I congiatulate you on its apparent success. There's always room for a lirst-class natura- lists magazine and therefore your'e bound to succeed. With best wishes. Cordially, Robert Campbell. BAKRR & HANSON Collectors of Florida Sea Shells and Curios. Dealers and Collectors desiring Florida Sea Fowls Eggs and Alligators and their eggs should send in their order in time for nesting season. Baker & Hnson, Myers, Florida, Oologlsts' Outfits. The "Best" Oologist's Outfit consists of one' 35c Nickled Blowpipe, one 25c Nickled and Engraved Embx'yo Hook and one 20c Egg Drill, all in a neat wood turned bo.x by return mail prepaid. FOR ONLY 35 CENTS. When ordering this outfit if you will en- close 15c extra, 50 cents in all, I will send you a fine tirst-class egg of the Sooty Tern with data, which is rightly considered the pi'ettiest of all the Tern family. By accept- ing this oft'er you get 80c worth of instruments, and a 25c egg, FOR ONLY 50 CENTS. The Cheapest Oologists' Outfit consists of one White Metal Blower.one -^^^ and ^^}^ drills, one 4^ in. Embryo Hook and one lead pencil,, all placed in a neat box with sliding cover. This outfit is gotten out for beginners andt cannot fail to please. It usually retails from. 50 to 75c. My price 25 cents prepaid — For 10c extra or 35c I will put in a neat pad of Data Blanks. WALTER F.WEBB, Albion, N.Y. NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LABRADOR. W. A. ST^RARNS. This little volume covers, first: List of the- Crustacea Dredged on the Coast of Labrador, by the expedition under W. A. Stearns. Sec- ond: Review of the Marine Crustacea of Labi'ador. Third: Catalogue of Mollusca and Echiuodermata Dredged on the Coast of Labrador, &c. Fourth: Lists of Plants Rep- tiles, Fislies, Mammals, &v, etc. 75 pages, prepaid, for 75c. With the Museum, $1.50. The two books and the Museum, $2.00, pre- paid PUBLISHER THE MUSEUM, ALBION, N. r. ALLIGATORS stuffed, standing erect, or crawling, 10 to 12 inch, prepaid for ()0c. Or- der at once. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. 91 TINY Arrow Heads of semi-precious stone from Oregou, New Mexico, Arizona, etc., are elegant and becom- ing scarce. 10,000 flint Ari'ows and Spears from all over the United States, fi'om $.05 to $2.00 each — common forms to choice and rare. A variety will be sent on application to any one giving good references. I pay postage one way. A few cents will return the pack- age. The Noble Fossils of the Cheyenne River Bad Lands. Three tons of fine Minerals; most all the species in Dana furnished. Siiells, Aluminum Goods, Agate and Pyrites Jewelry, Sioux Indian li^elics. Catalogue with prices, for stamp. Natural History Establishment L. W. STILWELL, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, DEAD\A^OOD, S. D. BIRDS EGGS, INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES, SENT ON APPROVAL. The largest and most complete stock in America to select from, at Rock Bottom Prices. Estimates and prices on large or small orders cheerfully furnished. SEND FOR 1885 CATALOGUE. FRED W. STACK, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. THE LATEST DATING STAMP. Every Collector should have one. b I ^1 POSTPAID. Satisfaction Guaranteed. R. W. FORD, BRISTOL, CONN. Self-Inking Pads 25c. extra. AGENTS ■WANTED. PRICE REDUCED. PRINTING OUTFIT fo FOR SALE CHEAP. We have the following outfit that we will sell very cheap for cash as we have no further- use for it. Self inking Excelsior 5.x7i Printing Press. Extra Treadle for same. Extra Chase. Lot Furniture. Lot Brass Rules. Printing Ink (black.) Five comi)lete Fonts of type as follows: ^ ,Neat ^7^A^I§ .L^iT,E§ ^ood jot any purpose but to DRY GOODS SALE When answering ads. mention Museum. mnnnnnnonnnnohocoooiooooo o RRI Above outtit is all in good order, ready for use. Price $12, cash, or $3 with order, bal- ance C O. D. "^^ If not sold this month price ■will be reduced $i per montJi till sold. Last month ivc offered this outfit for $12. Nobody seemed to have so much money. Lots of propositions lo ex- cJiange for $ij, $20 and $2^ in trade. Noiv tlie fi.rst one sending us $11 gets the outfit. Address ALBION CARD WORKS. ALBION, N. Y. GAMIELAND The Sportsman-Naturalist's illustrated magazine, reveals virgin woods and vvaters.and treats exhaustively of birds, fishes and quadrupeds, camp life, wood-craft and general ' natural history and natural science. It is not a vulgar "sporting" sheet; the household reads it. Twelve numbers make a book of 400 pages. Subscription $1 yearly, postage free, any address. With The Museum $1.50; three trial numbers, 2,') cents No free copies. Address : Gameland, 1267 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 92 THE MUSEUM. ^.^^/^ 2fc2 Mai r\ St Wo R g es te R , M ass . vr.3.;}„;^.cA THE MUSEUM. ^ ^ ^ ® I I I I I I I i 8 Birds Eggs, Lowest Prices In America. And yet, al! are strictly first class. The follovviDg list of eggs give a fair idea of the prices I am oH'ering specimens at. All will be postpaid. Each egg will be numbered to correspond with list. As an inducement to send large orders I make these discounts. Parties sending $1.00 may select eggs to the value of $1.25 1 00 20 a5 30 ^0 3.5 2.5 Pied-bill Grebe $ 10 Puffin M Murre 20 Calif. Murre 20 Kittiwake Gull 25 Amer. Herring Gull 20 Ring-bill Gull 25 Laughing Gull 20 Franklin's Gull 30 Cabot;.s Tern 40 Caspian Tern 40 Common Tern _ 08 Black Tern 10 Sooty Tern 'io Noddy Tern 50 Fulmar Manx Shearwater Leach's Petrel Gannet Cormorant Farralone Cormorant "White Jr'elican Brown Pelican Blue wing Teal 20 Barrows Goldeneye 75 Whooping Swan 1 .50 Amer. Flamingo 1 00 White Ibis .3.5 White- face Glossy Ibis 1 «) Wood Ibis 1 00 Amer. Bittern 75 Least Bittern 20 Amer. Egret 30 Snowy Heron 15 Louisiana Heron 12 Little Blue Heron 12 Green Heron 12 Bl'k. crown. N. Heron 12 King Rail 20 Sora Kail 12 Virginia Rail 12 Corn Crake 20 Florida Gallinule 10 Amer. Coot lo Eup. Snipe 25 Dunlin 35 Willet 40 Bart, Sandpiper 30 Spotted Sandpiper 15 Lapwing 15 Oystercalcher 25 Bobwhite 15 Texan Bobwhite 10 Fla. Bobwhite 10 Calif. Cartridge 15 Prairie Hen 'jO Sage Grouse 75 Chachalaca 60 Red-bill Pigeon 75 White-wing Dove 20 Mex. Ground Dove 50 Mourning Dove 05 Turkey Vulture 75 Black Vulture 75 Cooper's Hawk SO Red-tail Hawk 50 Gray Sea Eagle 2 00 Merlin _ 30 Kestrel 25 $2.00 $,3 00 " " " " " $4.00 " " " " " $5.00 " " " •' " $7.00 " " " " '■ $10.00 " " " " " Sparrow Hawk 2> Amer. Osprey .50 Avid. Caracara 1 00 Long-ear Owl 35 Screech Owl 40 Tex. Screech Owl 40 Burrowing Owl 15 Road-runner 20 Yellow-bill Cuckoo in Black- bill Cuckoo 15 Baird's Woodpecker .. 75 Gold-fronted Woodpecker 50 Flicker 03 Nighthawk 40 Western Nighthawk 40 Texan Nighthawk 40 Ruby-throated Hummer... .51) Nests ot Hummer, asstd... 25 Scis-tail Flycatcker lo Kingbird U5 Crested Flycatcher lo Mex. crested Flycatcher... 30 Phoebe 05 Wood Pewee 05 Acadian Flycatcher 15 Western Flycatcher 15 Little Flycatcher 25 Trains Flycatcher 15 Least Flycatcher 10 Skylark 15 Prairie Horned Lark 15 Amer. Magpie _ 15 Blue .Jay 05 Amer. Crow OB Fish Crow 35 starling 10 Bobolink 25 Cowbird 03 Dwarf Cowbird 10 Yellow-headed Blackbird.. 03 Red-wing Blackbird 03 Bicolored Blackbird 10 Tricolored Blackbird 10 Brewer's Blackbird _ 10 Purple Grackle 05 Great-tail Grackle 15 Bronzed Grackle 05 House Finch 05 American Goldfinch 05 Arkan.sas Goldtinch 10 Ch'stn't-coUaredLongspur 35 Vesper Sparrow 05 Grasshopper Sparrow 20 Lark Sparrow 05 Western Lark Sparrow 05 Chipping Sparrow 02 Field Sparrow 03 Song Sparrow :. . 02 Mountain Song Sparrow.. 25 Heermann's SungSparrow 10 Samuel's Song Sparrow... 05 Texas Sparrow .50 Towhee 10 Spurred Towhee 20 .50 " " $4.50 •• •' $6.50 " " $ 8.00 ■' " $12.00 ■• " $-^0.00 Lazuli Bunting 20 Sharpe's Seed-eater 1 00 Dickcissel 05 Scarlet Tanager 25 Summer Tanager 25 Purple Martin 12 03 05 15 03 10 08 08 10 15 Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Tree Swallow Bank Swallow Cedar Waxwing Loggerhead Shrike... Whiterumped Shrike Red-eyed \'ireo Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo 25 White-eyed Vireo 15 Bell's Vireo 15 Prothonotary Warbler 25 Golden-winged W^arbler .. 75 Panila Warbler 20 MjTtle Warbler 75 Magnolia Warbler 50 B'kthroated Gr'n Warbler .50 Pine Warbler .50 Prairie Warbler 30 Oven-bird 20 Louisiana Water-Thrush. .50 Maryland Yellow-throat 12 Yellow-breasted Chat 08 Long-tailed Chat 15 Hooded Warbler .50 American Redstart 15 White Wagtail 10 Meadow Pipit _ 10 Sage Thrasher 50 Mockingbird 05 Catbird... 02 Brown Thrasher Sennelt's Thrasher .. Curve-billed Thrasher.. California Thrasher Bendire's Thrasher C-'ctus Wren 03 15 15 20 7.5 12 Rock Wren .50 Cai'olina Wren 10 Loniita Wren 75 Bewick's Wren i:5 Baird's Wren 25 House Wren 05 Long- billed Marsh W^ren.. 05 White-breasted Nuthatch 35 Brown-headed Nuthatch 25 Tufted Titmouse 35 Chickadee 12 Carolina Chickadee 15 Wren-Tit 50 Bush-Tit 25 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 20 Wood Thrush 06 Wilson's Thrush 12 Russet-tacked Thrush 15 Hermit Thrush 30 American Robin _ 03 Western Robin 10 Wheatear lO Bluebird 02 Western Bluebird 12 California Towhee 10 Cardinal 05 Rose breasted Grosbeak. 10 Black-headed Grosbeak... 15 Indigo Bunti'"g 08 If you do not see what you want in this list send stamp for my new catalogue. But remember this offer is a special one and will not be continued after Feb. 20, '95 Address all orders to FRED W. STACK, Wholesale and Retail Dealer, POl^GHKEEPSIE, \. Y. 94 THE MUSEUM. RELIEF MAPS. Attention of Schools and Colleges is called to the following list of relief maps which we can furnish. We guarantee the maps we otTer to be the best procurable in this or any other country. The fact that they were modeled by Mr. E. E. Howell is a guarantee of superiority. Following is the list: 1. United States and adjacent Ocean Bottoms, on section of a globe 13.3 feet in diameter Topographic $100 00 2. United States, same as No. 1, on section of a globe 5i feet in diameter.Topographic 25 GO 3. United States, same as No. 1, on section of a globe 10 feet in diameter.Topographic 125 00 FT. IN. FT. IN. 4. Yosemite Valley 2 6x4 0. Topographic 40 00 5. Yellowstone National Park, 4 4x5 2. " 65 00 6. Grand Canyon of the Colorado, 6 0x6 0. Geologic, 1876 125 00 7. " " " •' " 6 0x6 0. " .1892 125 00 8. Henry Mountains, 3 7x5 0. " 50 00 9. Stereogram of No. 8, 3 7x5 0. " 25 00 10. Henry Mountains and vicinity 3 0x3 6. " 30 00 11. Stereogram of No. 10, 3 0x3 0. '• 12 00 12. High Plateaus of Utah, 4 6x4 6. " 60 00 13. Mount Shasta, 3 3x3 4. Geol.orTop 40 00 14. Mount Taylor, N. M., 4 0x4 0. Geologic 40 00 15. Uinta and Wasatch Mouutaius, 4 0x4 2. " 125 00 16. Leadville and vicinity, 2 8x3 2. " 75 00 17. " " " dissected 2 11 x 3 6. " 125 00 18. Washoe District, Nev., 2 6x3 4. " 60 00 19. Eureka District, Nev., 5 2x5 6. '• 125 00 20. Mount Vesuvius, 2 0x2 6. '• 10 00 21. Massachusetts, 2 5x4 0. Topographic 35 00 22. New Jersey, 1 10 x 3 0. " 20 00 1 10x3 0. Geologic 25 00 23. Kentucky, 3 8x8 10. " 100 00 24. Arkansas Drainage Basin, 4 7x6 10. Irrigation 100 00 25. Irrigated Fields, 1 6x3 0. " 8 00 20. Ice Spi'ing Craters, 4 0x4 Geol. and Realistic 45 00 27. Mount Desert Island, Maine, 1 6x1 8. Topographic 35 00 28. Carmel Bay, California, 1 8x2 5. •' 20 00 29. Yosemite Valley, California 0 7x0 6. " 3 50 30. Connecticut, 3 2x4 4. " 50 00 31. Dist. of Columbia and vicinity 2 11x2 7. " 40 00 32. North Eastern Iowa, 3 1x3 1. Glacial Topo 35 00 33. Palestine, 4 1x7 9. Topographic 55 00 34. Chattanooga District, 3 4x3 10. Geol.orTop 65 00 35. United States, No. 3, with Glacial Ice Sheet added 150 00 Address all ordeis to, WALTER F. WEBB, Publisher of the Museum, ALBION, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. 95 SPECIALTIES IN MUSEUM HARDWARE The undersigned manufactures Spec- ial Brackets and Racks for adjustable shelves (Fig. 1.) Also several kinds of Monitor Locks (Fig. 2— this style is No. 10. ) These are arranged for all varie- ties of Museum Cases (either iipright or table style) French Windows. Bookcas- es, etc. Special machine (Fig. 4) for making Rock Sections, arranged for steam or foot power. Also several styles for cutting and polishing Miner- als, Petrified Wood, etc., on hand or furnished to order. Adopted and recommend by the y.riu- cipal museums of the United States. Full information given ou application to ElisM T. Jenks, Middleborough, |]^ Plymouth Co., Mass. Fig. 4 of Birds of Prey Cheap. I have the following fine sets or singles for sale. with •original datas : Mississippi Kite, 1-1, 1-2 SI 75 Marsh Hawk. l-.i. 1-4 18 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1-4 50 Harris' Hawk, 1-3. 1-2, 1-1 .30 European Buzzard. 8-3, 3-3, 2-1 25 Western Redtail, 1-2, 1-1 35 Red-bellied Hawk, 1-2, 1-1 50 Zone tailed Hawk, 1-3 _ 1 50 Swainson Hawk. 1-3, 1-2 35 Broad-winged Hawk, 1-3, 1-1 45 Rough-legged Hawk, 2-2, 1-1 25 Golden Eagle, 3-1 _ 3 50 Gray Sea Eagle, 1-2 _ 1 25 Merlin. 1-3 25 Kestrel. 3-4 14 Duck Hawk. 1-2 125 Audubon's Caracar a, 1-2 60 And many others. Send 2 cents stamps for price list. W. RAINE, BLEEKER STREET, TORONTO, CANADA. The Infant. An Illustrated Monthly Magazine DEVOTED TO Ornithology and Philately. Subscription, 25 cents per year. Sample, 5 cents. Hopkins & Farmer, Amoskeag:, N- H. Old Coins, Stamps, Indian Cnrios. Large 64 page Catalogue, illustrated 10c, 827 BRANNAN STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. The Iowa Ornitliologist. A Quarterly Magazine, devoted to Ornitholo- gy and Oology. Forty cents per year. Sample copies lOc. Published forThe Iowa Ornithological Ass'n. David L. Savage, Editor, Salem, la. 96 THE MUSEUM. 100 PREMIUMS FREE TO ALL! Send an order for $1.00 worth of Specimens from list below and receive the Museum FREE; or, send $1.00 for the Museum and recieve $1.00 worth of Specimens free. Simply state the numbers desired. Orders of $5.00 or over from this list at 25 per cent, discount. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 43 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Cheap Taxidermists Forceps $ 25 Taxidermists Scissors 50 " Scalpels Ebony Handle. . 50 Package Green Moss 15 Package Tags for Skins . 25 Bottle Tanning Liquor,by express. .. 1 00 2 sizes of Egg Drills 25 White Metal Blower 25 Brass Blower 20 Best Nickle Blower 35 Embryo Scissors cheap 25 Oologists Cement 15 100 Data Blanks 25 Oologists Outfit No. 1. 40 " No. 2 1 00 1 doz. Cork, 4 x 12 x i 40 100 Insect Pins, any size 20 Egg of Calif. Murre 20 " Herring Gull 20 Calif. Gull. Sooty Tern Noddy Tern.... Leach's Petrel Farallone Cormorant. " White Ibis ' ' Least Bittern " Little Blue Heron " Amer. Coot " Calif. Quail •' Chachalaca " Mourning Dove " Cooper Hawk. . . . , " Belted Kingfisher • ' Baird's Woodpecker , " Gold-front Woodpecker.. . " West Nighthawk " Phu'be " Skylark " Amer. Magpie ' ' Amer. Crow " Red-eyed Cowbird " Meadow lark " Orchard Oriole " Baltimore Oriole " Texas Sparrow " Cardimil " White Rump Shrike '• Mockingbird " Brown Thrasher " Wood Tlirush Assorted collec'n of Indian Relics. MINERALS. 62 Audalusite 53 Asbestus . . 20 20 25 20 20 25 20 10 10 12 50 03 25 15 50 40 30 04 15 15 05 30 10 06 06 35 05 06 05 03 06 00 25 25 54 Azurite 25- 55 Beryl 25 56 Calcite 25. 57 Calc. Turfa 25 58 Catlinite 25 59 Chalcedony 25 60 Clay Stones 25 61 Crinoidal Limestone 25 62 Dolomite < 25 63 Flint Balls 25 64 Garnet in Rock 25 65 Geodc 25 66 Graphite 25 67 Hematite 25 68 Iceland Spar 25 69 Black Mica 25 70 Malachite 25 71 Opalized Wood 25 72 Petrified Wood 25 MARINE CUKIOS 73 Leopard Shark egg 25 74 Nurse Shark egg 75 Acorn Barnacle 76 Stuii'ed Alligator 1 77 Sea Horse 78 Hermit Crab in shell 79 Skate Egg 80 Shark Egg 81 Devil Fish Egg 82 Alligator Egg 83 Shell globe, tilled with fine shells on Marble Base 1 84 Porcupine Quill, Africa, 9 in 85 Saw Fish Saw, 10 in 86 Sperm Whale Tooth 1 87 Pacific Starfish 88 Niilorilla armata 89 Heliaster Kubingii 90 Mammoth Purple Urchin, Pacific... 1 91 Sand Dollar 92 Tarantula, mounted in box 1 93 Horned Toad, mounted in box 1 94 Scoi pion, mounted in box 1 95 Chinese Horn Nut 96 Ivory Nut, Africa 97 Fossil Shark Tooth 98 S('ai)!ntes nodosus. Fossil 99 Trigonocorpus Nuts 100 (Ji'y pheas Send remittance whatever form is conv ienr. Stamps accepted in any amount if good condition. WALTER F. WEBB, PUBLISnEK MUSEUM, ALBION, N 70 20 00 25 50 10 15 15 35 00 25 30 00 40 76 75 00 15 GO 00 00 10 25 20 25 25 15 en- in Y. Buy Your Supplies for 1895 where you can buy the Cheapest If you have not already received ///)' Ni'io Years (jrccti)ig and Special Offer, write for it at once. In the dissolution of the late firm of F. H. Lattin & Co., I retained the entire Mammoth Stock of Naturalists' Supplies as well as Bird Eggs, Skins, Minerals, etc., etc. I also retained nearly the entire lot of Cabinets, all Fixtures, all Facilities for handling the trade, which were second to none in the Country. I am also located within 300 feet of both Mail, Express and Tele- graph Offices; getting seven mails daily. Do not place your orders before writing for prices. Faithfully, WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. ? HAVE YOU READ The Special Premium Offer In This Number? This offer positively closes Feb. 15th. Accept it now. VOL. I. NO. 4 FEBRUARY, 1895. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted Exclusively to Research in Natural Science. RA TES : — $1.00 per year to all countries, in advance. Single nnrnbers, 10 cts Published the Fifteenth of Each Month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. fSiinsaajtBiiaunKisntinnn a a a a h u n ^ ^ u a n K u a a a a » t: a a a :; ;: B a ' " li a » a u B t ^ :■ n R u H 13 II 11 11 i: :: ii ii ■• i: i: » n ii ii u a «,iuaB.:u>. n.a u.ti si a a a u a a a u n a u a e: s a R a a s a Have You Read about the Ornithologists' and Ooiogists' MANUAL ■% B :: » K i: .*: s a B s as B = a a u B = ■ 'a BE a a in this number? " "' " sasa a r. K a Don't miss it, and don't fail to send for it l " suss a a a a = a = a AT ONCE. a r. a a a B » " ■= a a a '-• = .1 n!:';!:::n.r':ii.::. ~ n.::i-::n:.::':nu:.:|.:i:.,i<.a:i':" :::':' n:::i;iiMi.:'::'M! ':;;.tr .irn.i.ir's:::.;' a ;;..:).. .n'.ii :i -.a % ^ eilil"! ♦/ - -■: ,-;;»- - : =.-n . • B 8 ^ c, A fi,i, n:i:iiiiuii»ibiii>iii:iiuiiiU;:iiiiuuui:)iiiiiiiituaiiiu:itdiiiiuiiiiiaii;Oiiiiiaiiitijiiiii:iiiiii::iB;!:iJi>i>iiiiiHiiiin UmI. mm >* ,• •- %v<^> AMI B .ifDii TiiiRnii;BaM:nitiB)itiiiiiBi»iin;Bii;miiBniCDi:iB:;:EiiiiiBni;inii!B;:ii'ii::r:iiiiniHXMiiBiiirin]iB:::rn:i:B:;:rniiw a BJ-s B inn^";^- 't .'B. n H<':M.u...i';iiM!iii:»:iii./n.i:::!::i:B:ii:'!.:u...'. II :;.'uii B'l^i- ~'..; n.::; :. asiiirrBTi ..' u..: ~ : u.. .c.i II i::i .■:::;'. u ';.:'!;:: n ''.::.!ai: iiicn n B. luw^* THE MUSEUM. 97 WANTS, EXCHANGES AND FOE SALES. All notices that come under above will be inserted in this department until further notice rat one-half (i) cent a word. No notice less than 25c. Terms Cash with crder. No charge for • address. I shall at all times endeavor to keep parties, whose reputation is of a doubtful char- acter from using these columns. STAMP COLLECTORS. Send for our tine Approval Sheets at 40 per cent, commission; 8 rar Samoa 15c, 15 rar Japan loo, 2 rar U. S. locals 2oc. 3 rar unused Constantinople 5c, 20 unused stamp 25c, 100 assortment N. & S. Am- arican lOo. Merker-Towe Stamp Co. Box 296, Bridgepo.it. Conn. COLUMNS. Try our exchange columns. If you have au_vti]ing you want to sell or ex- change here is "the place for it. We will accept tirst-class specimens at one-half rates in pay- ment of space in these columns if you cannot sp'Bre the money. We do not "give away ad- vertising space as some of our contemporar- ies, as we believe if the space is not worth even a slight consideration for, it is not worth hav- ing. WANTED.-A No. 3 Kodak, complete.with carrying case, etc. Must be "good as new," and cheap for cash Also correspondents who wish to exchange for minerals. H. C. MERE- DITH, Ukiah, Mendocino Co., Calif. WANTED.— A tirst-class 4x5 dry plate camera and outfit for minerals, taxidermist specimens and large cloth-bound book of natural history. LYNN SAXTON, Sherman, N. Y. HOMING PIGEONS.— Seven pairs homing pigeons for sale or exchange, also "Hints to Pigeon Beginners." Will exchange lot for watch or other articles, or sell for $7 cash. Sell for $1 and $1.25 a pair or exchange single pairs. Grand chance. All letters answered if stamp is enclosed. Give me an offer. ERNEST A. JOSLIN, Box 500, W^ebster, Mass. WANTED. — Perfect birds skins of the cheaper kind, male and female — if possible 4 of a kind. Offer brilliant exotic, butterflies and moths, finely mounted, ready for the cab- inet, at low prices. Also all kinds of insects for sale and exchange. Send 10 cents for cat- alogue. PROF. CARL BRAUN, Bangor, Me. GREAT HORNED OWL, $3.50, Barred Owl, $2.75, Canada Grouse, $2, Ruffed Grouse, $L75, Blue Jay, 75 cents. All are nicely moimted and moth proof. Will exchange for A-1 sets with data at half catalogue rates, kodak, books on Natural History, &c., have many others at eqnally low prices. JOHN CLAYTON, Taxidermist, Lincoln, Maine. WANTED. — Skins of southern and western birds in exchange for Massachusett specimens None but first-class skins with full data desired. Send list of what j'ou have to offer with prices or basis of exchange and what you wish in return. F. H. BRACKETT, Box 2148, Boston, Mass. FOR SALE. — A magnificent collection of 857, North American eggs, consisting of 228 sets, including 115 varieties. Scientifically correct in minutest detail, all perfect speci- mens, embracing many of the very rarest known. To be sold entire for cash at a mod- erate price. No small lots sold, or exchanges considered. Those meaning business please send stamp for particulars: others save your stamps. Address, E. CORNELL MONROE. 653 Main St., Pawtucket, R. I. WANTED.— Pair Moose Antlers, well bal- anced and in good color. Cash or excnange. THOS. W. FRAINE, Taxidermist, 16 Joslyn Park, Rochester. N. Y. WAVTED. — Small cabinet specimens, min- erals, relics, curios, &c. Will give in ex- change seeds, plants, or bulbs, from reliable Seedsman's catalogue, correspondence ans- wered. GEO. B. REMSEN, Floral Park, NY. A BEAUTIFUL Moonstone in its natural state and a big package of interesting Ama- teur papers and other reading; all sent post- paid, for only 10c, in silver. HAWKEY'S ADV. CONCERN, Mason City, Iowa. WILL EXCHANGE.— 1 case red squirrels, 1 case of mink, 2 telephone receivers, 1 Mag- ineto, 1 relay, 1 3 drop annunciator, 1 ther- mostat, 6 push-buttons, 1 automatic electric gas-lighting burner and buttons, 2 electric bells, 1-2 gal. silver plating bath, 1-2 gal. nickle plating bath. 1 burnisher, buffing- wheels, 1 Welshbach gas-burner, 1 stationary photograph burnisher and several other elec- trical articles. What have you to exchange in the line of photograph apparatus? Address E. P. REED, 108 Coo'ige Ave., Syracuse. NY. EXCHANGE.— I have for exchange several fine bird skins, several sets of eggs and spec- imens of Indian pottery. Want birds eggs and mounted birds. Send lists. W. A. OLD- FIELD, Port Sanilac, Mich SEND 10 CENTS.— Pure spruce chewing gum from the Maine woods, taken from spruce trees which grow only in the State of Maine. Send 10 cents for sample package. Pure and nice, no adulteration. AROOS- TOOK GUM CO., Box 436, Caribou, Maine. TO EXCHANGE for eggs in sets. Works of standard authors handsomely bound in cloth: Dickens. Thackeray. Irving, George Eliot, Carlyle, Macaulay, etc. Send for list and state what you have to exchange. All communications answered. Box 215, Peoria, 111. THE MUSEUM. ARTIKICIAL EYES, best Euglish make, 6 gross, hiack assorttd si/e.s. 1 to 12, $l.*25; 0 gross coloied, assoricd colors aud size, 1 to 12, $5. Either of llie al)Ove lots sent carriage paid on receipt of P. ( ). order. CHA8. JEF- FERYS, Naturalist and Taxidern ist, Tenl)y, Eng. WANTED.— Marlin Repealing RiHe,ir) shot 38 W. C F. caliiire, 24 inch, octagon itarrel, or Winchester Repealing shot gnn, 12 gaaue, ov shell ejector, doiili'e-aclion, 82 calibre, 6 shot revolver. B flat Clarinet, all in good order. State pi'ice of article in good order, in exchange for good ctrgs or stamps. By sending you can obtain the li.-t of the eggs and stamps. Respectfully Yours, EDWIN FOSS. Baraboo, Wis. UNFfED STATES Postage Stamps, 40 dif- ferent, including scarce and old issues post free $1. English stamps, 48 different, includ- ing old issues, ' (iovt. Parcels," etc , $1. post free. CHAS. JEFFERYS, Naturalist. Tenby, •Eng. I CAN FURNLSH vou the finest specimens of birds and mammals, either land or water, in the meat or fresh skins, at lowest living prices. Write for price list. RILEY P. BROWN. Collector and Taxidermist, Milton, Wis. TO EXCHANGE for eggs in sets, with data, — "Our Own Biids, " by Biiiley, nicely bound in cloth. 2.^)0 pages. Make me an offer. All letters answered. Box 21o, Peoria, III, WANTED.— I'o buy i-e])tiles eggs and raie birds eggs, not in my collection. Sets or singles, either end blown or lirst-class speci- mens. W. R. WHARlON, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. WANTED.— Seconu have. ,J . M. FRONE- FIELD, Jv , Wayne, Penn. CHOICE EUROPEAN Birds Eggs cheap by mail or expi'css. Send 5 cents for piice lists. CHAS. JEFFERYS, Naturali>t, Tenby. Eng. Wanted. — Puplls in shorthand, penman- ship, bookkeeping, or Spanish. I teach all these branches by mail and personally secui-e good positions when competent. I make the securing of good ])ositions for my j)upils a speciality. No other school does that. For circulars and information write, W. G. CHAF- FEE, Oswego, N. Y. WANTP>D. — To coirespoud with those who have a few dollars to invest the coming season in mounted biids, skins or eggs in sets from North Dakota and LVlanitot)a. Am booking orders from some of the best, well-known col- lectors in America. I will be accompanied' by a tirst-class taxidermist during this my third flip to the Northwest. Correspondence desired with taxidermist in regard to fui-nish- ing fresh, pliable skins of Fianklin's (4nll, Geese. Ducks, Terns, While Pelican, etc. ED- WIN S BHYANT. Davison, Mich. TO EXCHANGE.— Minerals and Fossils for Birds P2ggs, Shells or stamps. Illnslrated catalog by mail, lOc J. W. WIERS. 337 West VanBiiren St., Chicago, III. Old Coins, Stamps, Indian Curios. Large 64 page Catulogue, illustrated TOc. 837 BRANNAN STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Shells, Minerals, Corals, Fossils, Curios, ctC. CATALOGUE BY MAIL, lO CENTS. J. M. WEIRS, 357 W. Van Buren sL, CHICAGO, ILL- THE S3.50. I.S a Combined Camera and Graphcscope, AlalcPh a picture tbis size: L'."r* square, round, or fancy sliape. Takes 25 pictures In OLe loading, snap •"hot or time exposure. The sl/.e oi tlie Camera la i?,',xa Inches. VVeiglit, 4 o/. Carry In your pocktt. All niettil, sllvcr- bionze finish Any Boy or Girl can use it. Every Instrument guaranteed, liide- tiuctable. The Kombi complete, $3.50. ures), 20 cents exirii. cost or developuig roll ot film, Li cents, tor each picture. Snip ut mm {-id expos- Cost for pilntlng, 1 cent ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FREE. If not for sale by your dealer, the Komhi will be sent to any address, on receipt ot price. ALFRED C. KEMPKR, 208 Lake St., CHICAGO, ILL. THE MUSEUM. 99. f Removal For a year and a half TheNIDIOLOGIST, Recognized as the Standard and tnily ilbtstratcd monthly, devoted exclusively to Ornithology and Oology, has been issued from Alameda, California. Its and phenomenal success, everywhere in America, and even abroad, has necessi- tated the removal of its publication office to a larger centre — three-fourths of its subscribers being now east of the Mississippi river. The office has accordingly been Removed to 150 Fifth Ave., New York City, where the Editor now is, and shall be happy at any time to meet any of the "fraternity." STRIKING ILLUSTRATIONS, from superior half-tones, prmted on fine surface paper, are made a leading feature, no expense being spared to ob- tain results which continue to surprise and please. Our articles are always pop- ular and strictly acciLratc, from the best observers in the field, and contain much new matter. For example, a feature of the February number is a most inter- esting paper on the HABITS OF THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR, or Vulture, from original notes by A. \V. Anthony, George F. Breninger, W. A. Burres and H. R. Taylor, with a description of the Recent Taking of an Egg, and accompanied by three interesting illustrations. We give an exchange notice free to every subscriber, and are offering also, for a short time to neiv subrcribers, a Beautifully Illustrated Premium, entitled, "-Sonvenir of Early Days in California,'' of which samples of the ele- gant picture are shown in the "Nids" for February and March. Also, to all who remit without delay, we will send a copy of the November number with beautifully colored plate of eggs of the White-tailed Kite, "Souvenir" to yearly subscribers only. Take this apportunity at once. Subscriptions may commence any time. "The Nidiologist is indispensible to every live, working Ornithologists and Oologist. " Subscription, $1.50 per year; 80 cents for 6 months. Advertising Rates Furnished. Sample Copy, 10 cents. Address, H. R. TAYLOR, Publisher, 150 Fifth Ave., N. Y. City. lOO THE MUSEUM. The Ornithologist's and Oologist's MANUAL Just Published. The neatest and handiest thing for the Collector that has ever been put on the market. A Handbook of information and Man- ual that you will want with you the whole year round. Contains among other things, a complete list of all North American Birds with prices of their eggs and skins. Full in- structions how to make a bird or mammal skin. How to blow and prepare eggs for the cabinet, mount nests, etc. How to pack and ship any of the above specimens, mammoth list of books, instruments and supplies desired by every live working Natura- list, useful information in this line, receipts, etc., etc. A neat little volume 4 1-2x6 1-2 containing 100 pages, just the right size to be easily carried in the pocket. W^orth $1 to anyone, but will be sent prepaid on receipt of 25 cents or 5 for $1. Bound in full leather for 50 cents. Order at once, as the supply is very limited. WALTER F. VSAEBB, ALBION, N. Y. THE IVIUSEUM. Vol. I. A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Research in Natural Science. ALBION, N. Y., FEBRUARY 15, 1895. No. 4 ARCTIC NOTES. On the Habits of certain Rare Northern Birds in Comman- der Islands and Kamtska- tka, by Leonard Stejneger. Taken from his excellent report to tlie U. S. Nal lonal Museum, continued from January number. Steller's Duck Eniconetta Stcllcri. This duck makes its appearance about the first of November, at which time large fiocks were observed, but no specimen was secured before the 20th, although several were shot. They remained all winter about the coast, preferring the rockiest parts and the places where the breakers were most violent. Although very numer- ous during the winter, in Spring their number was enormously increased and immense flocks covering many acres, could be seen floating on the sea, a quarter to a half mile oflf the shore, in April. Towards the end of the month they nearly all departed. It doubtless does not breed on the islands, although one o^gg was recorded in '72 by Prof. Dall. Pacific Eider. Soviatcra v-nigra. The Pacific Eider is now rather scarce on the Islands. On Copper Island there are at present only a few places where it breeds, but I secured a a male in perfect plumage, a downy chick and an o.g'g, the latter measuring 70 by 48 mm. Red-faced Cormorant. PJialacorcorax 11 rile. This species breeds on the islands and eggs secured measure 61 by 40 mm, 63-5 by 39, and 66 by 37 mm. These were taken from Copper Island. They cannot be confounded with pclagicus, as they are considerably larger, and and the green color when looked at through the shell, is totally different, being much more bluish, against yellow- ish m. pclagicus. Pelagic Cormorant. PJialacrocorax pclagicus. This species rears two broods in a season. This is not to be regarded as a positive statement that the same parents rear two sets of young the same year (although I believe that most of them do) but simply that I have found the colonies of this species having eggs and downy young at two different times. The first season com- mences early in May, the young of this brood being fully fledged in the latter part of July. In the middle of this month, however, the colonies again contained all stages, from fresh eggs to newly hatched young. During the first days of August, I found downy young of almost the same age and still without feathers, while on the :I02 THE MUSEUM. Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, Mammoth California Purple Urchin. Coast of California. 2ist of August, 1882, I visited a num erous colony on Bering Island, in which the oldest young were about half fledged. These would not be able to fly before the first week of September. Between the two periods young in all stages of development will be found in the colonies, but pro- portionately few in number. The birds breed on all the most rug- ged and steep promontories which rise immediately from the sea, as well as on the outlying islets and stones. Most of them winter around the coast, but they are not by far so common at that season as during summer. The eggs measure 56 to 59 mm by 34 to 37 mm. Of a set of three taken, one egg was perfectly clear, the second contained a very small embyro, while the third one contained a somewhat larger foetus. Snowy Owl. Nyctca nyctea. The Snowy Owl is now quiet com- mon on Bering Island, although only a few years ago it was regarded as rare. It now feeds on the m\riads of mice, and grows exceedingly fat. They re- main in the neighborhood of the Village until the beginning of May, on the 2d day of which three individuals were still to be seen. Most of them then retired to the higher mountains in the interior of the southern part, but a few pair breed not far from the sea shore. Thus, for instance, a pair was seen during the whole summer in the neigh- borhood of the great seal rookery, and on the 3rd of September 1883, a family of five individuals had taken posts close to the road between the rookery and the village. The specimens are rather heavily barred, even the lightest male being very much so. THE MUSEUM. 103 Notes On the Preparation Rough Skeletons. of BY Frederic A. Lucas. IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIMENS. It is, of course, e.\tremely important to know the correct name of every skeleton, and whenever possible this should be attached to the specimen. When the animal is unknown, either the skin, roughly taken off, should be kept, or else another specimen made into a skin, in order that it may serve as a means of identifying the skeleton. LABELS. Use good nianila labels, as thin pa- per is so apt to be torn or defaced. A ver}- good plan is to cut Roman numbers on a bit of wood and let these refer to entries in a note-book. SELECTION OF SPECIMENS BREAKAGES. Where time allows, select a series •of skeletons of different ages; but where only one skeleton can be pre- pared, choose a fully grown, adult ani- mal, as free as possible from breakages. If an animal is shot or trapped it is impossible to avoid breaking some bones, and such must be allowed to pass, but where it has been beaten to death, fracturing the skull and limb bones generally, the animal had better be thrown away at once. If the skull alone is broken, select if possible another of the same size and send botJi with the body. When con- venient send with a broken leg or wing another of the same size, but on no .account throw away the fractured limb. TOOLS. A knife and a pair of scissors are all that are absolutely necessary, but if these can be supplemented by one or two steel scrapers, the work will be greatly facilitated. "ROUGHING OUT." MAMMALS. If an animal is rare, the skin should be very carefully taken off and pre- served; otherwise, remove the skin roughly and disembowel the specimen, taking care not to cut into the breast- bone, especially the disk-shaped piece of cartilage in which it ends. Animals destined for skeletons should on no ac- count be split up the breast as though they were being dressed for market. Detach the legs from the body and remove the coliar-bone or knee pan with the meat. In the cat family the collarbone is very small, and lies loose in the flesh between the shoulder-blade and front end of breast-bone. The collar-bone of weasels is very minute and difficult to find, while, on the other hand, climbing and burrowing animals usually have this bone well developed and uniting the shoulder-blade with the breast-bone. Deer, antelope, bears and seals have no collar-bone. In small quadrupeds it will not be necessary to detach the legs, but, whenever convenience in roughing out or packing renders this needful, cut the collar-bone loose from the breast- bone and leave it fastened to the shoulder-blade. The legs being finished, disjoint and clean the skull. Be careful in remov- ing the eyes not to thrust the point of the knife through the thin portion of the skull back of them, and in deer, antelope, or other ruminants take care not to break through the thin bone at the back end of the upper teeth. Also I04 THE MUSEUM. Voluta Junonica, a rare species of shell from Florida, at one time worth over $150. look out for any projections of bones so as not to cut them off. Remove as much of the brain as possible with a scraper, bent wire, or small stick. In cleaning the ribs take care not to cut the cartilages joining them to the breast-bone, and when the tail is reached, look for a few little bones projecting downwards from the first few vertebrae. If time allows, soak the roughed-out skeleton in water for a day or two to extract the blood; at all events wash thoroughly and brush with a good stiff brush. Fold the legs snugly along the body, or, if they have been detached, tic them together with the skull on the under side, as much as possible within the chest cavity; also turn down the tail and tic it upon itself. Roll up in a bit of rag and fasten- securely to one of the long bones any bones which may have been detached or any splinters from a broken bone. Hang up to dry in the shade, "" where it will escape dogs, cats, and rats. Lastly, in case a small skeleton is likely to be some time on the road, give it a very thin coat of arsenical soap to preserve it from the attacks of Demestes and other insects. SPECIAL POINTS. Embracing the upper part of the windpipe and connecting it with the base of the skull is a series of bones known as the hyoid apparatus. This should be carefully saved. There are usually small bones, termed sesamoids, imbeded in the ten- dons, where they play over the under sides of the toes, and on this account the tendons should never be cut off close to the bone. There are often one or two small bones on the back lower portion of the thigh-bone, and these should be left in place. In preparing the skeletons of rabbits particular attention should be given to the shoulder blade, as this has a slend- er projection at the lower end which extends some distance backward. The male organ of a great many quadrupeds, as in the raccoon, is pro- vided with a bone. As it is difficult to say when this may or may not be pres- ent, it should always be looked for, and when found left attached to the hip-bones. CONTINUED NE.XT MONTH. Proceedings United States National Museum, 1885. * In this the collector will necessarily be governed by circinnstanees, as in moist cli- mates it may be needful to dry a specimen in the sun, or even by the aid of a fire, although this should be done only as a last resort. THE MUSEUM. 105, A new design for Entomologists collecting and killing bottle. Square glass in sides. Concretionary Granite. Vermont is one of the smallest of the United States, being bat one hun- dred and fifty seven miles in length, and having an extreme width ol but ninety miles; with an area of but little more than ten thousand square miles. Being one of the oldest of the states, it is popularly supposed that there can be little, or nothing, relating to its geology that is new, or interesting Yet this is a mistake. I doubt if any locality of no greater area can furnish a greater variety of interesting miner- als than the little state of Vermont. There are to be found within its bor- ders upwards of one hundred different simple minerals. These are combined with one another, and in varying pro- portions, so as to form an almost end- less variety. Then many ages ago, Vermont was sunk several hundred feet beneath the surface of the sea, where it remained for centuries. At ItMi-tJi. by the operation of some mys- terii'M^ force, it was gradually raised uDtil Its highest peaks are now more tiia-i f(.ur thousand feet above the level of ihe ( ctan. One result of this sub- mergence is that there are hundreds of sea beaches, scattered over various parts cf the state, which is a never failing source of delight to explore. Still I must admit, that, when the beauty of a specimen is its sole, or chief recommendation, those from Ver- mont do not, as a whole, occupy a front rank. However, there are many very beautiful varieties of minerals to be fov.nd in \'ermont, and one, which has not yet been found outside the state, with the exception of a single locality in the town of Stanstead, just across the Canadian border. I refer to Concretionary or Nodular Granite, which is found in its greatest perfec- tion in the town of Craftsbury, in Or- leans county and not far from the io6 THE MUSEUM. heart of South Village. Here the deposit is in the form of huge boulders, some of which are nearly as large as a small house. They are very thickly strewn ov'er the surface of two or three acres, and more thickly scattered over several hundred acres to the south and east of the village. About the granite itself, merely as granite, there is nothing remarkable. It is highly feldspathic, but lacking in horndblende. It is very white and a little too course grained to have much commercial value. What gives this variety its especial interest, is the fact, that, thickly mixed with the contents of the rock are to be found numerous concretions or nodules of black mica. In shape they have the form of a pro- late spheroid, the short diameter being about two thirds the length of the longer. They are composed of thin, concentric layers of black mica and quartz, regularly alternating, and, when not exposed to the action of the elements are of a jet black color, con- trasting beautifully with the white sur- face of the granite. In size, they vary from one half of an inch, to two inches in the? longest diameter. The surface of the nodules is slightly wrinkled, and they much resemble raisins in a pud- ding, hence the rock is commonly called "Plumb Pudding Stone." They have also been likened to butternuts and are sometimes called "Petrified Butternuts." The rock is also known as "Butternut Granite." No satisfactory theory has yet been advanced to explain the manner by which the nodules became incorporated into the substance of the rock. Pro- fessor Hitchcock is said to have made the remark, that it was the most diffi- 'Cult problem with which he had ever grappled. He did not attempt to of- fer any explanation. The nodules of- ten constitute one third and sometimes as much as one half of the entire sub- stance of the rock, and the general ap- pearance, at first, would give rise to the impression that they had been stirred into the rock at some time when the entire mass was in a plastic state. But a closer inspection dispels this idea for the nodules are all arranged with their longer axes parallel to one another. From this we might infer, that, at some period the rock had been strati- fied; but, admitting this and admitting, that, owing to the heat, or some other agency, it lost its stratified condition, what is the origin and nature of the nodules.' I have said that the principal deposit of this variety of granite is to be found in Craftsbury. It is said to occur also in the tows of Northfield, Waterbury, Newfane, Proctorsville and Jay in Ver- mont and at Stanstead in Canada. I have searched for it in several of these towns but without avail. I have seen a speicimen said to have been found in Newfane, but it differed from that found at Craftsbury, in that the nodules were larger and much more elongated. In all cases the rock is found only as boulders, which have been transported thither by drift agency. The original location is unknown. Most probably it is situated in the unexplored regions- of Central Labrador. C. O. Okmsbee, MONTPELIER, Vt. Coral. We fre(juently read of the tiny coral insect, and its incessant labor, and the wonderful results, in the shape of im- THE MUSEUM. 107 mense coral islands, which follow; and, from such sketches, without other in- formation, one might infer that the specimens of coral to be found in al- most every cabinet, as well as the reefs and islands common in the tropical parts of the ocean, were built the vol- untary work of a species of minute in- sect, and, in imagination, we may see them working, hundreds of feet below the surface, with all the energy which characterizes the labor of the ant in building its own domicile. As a poeti- cal fancy, the idea is exceedingly beau- tiful; but as a scientific fact it is utterly faldacious. Coral is not produced by -any insect, nor is it formed by the voluntary action of any animal what- ever. It is produced by the involuntary and spontaneous action of an animal organism, and is as essential to the .growth, development and protection of that organism, as is the shell to an •oyster. With as much proprietary we might give the elephant credit for pro- ducing ivory, or praise the sheep for its skill in producing wool. Coral is pro- duced simply because the animal pro- ducing it so constructed that it cannot help itself. Nor is it the production of an insect, 'but, instead of a class of organisms so low in the scale of nature, that, for ■centuries, they were supposed to belong to the vegetable, rather than the ani- mal kingdom. Even Linnalus would not class them as animals, although he recognized the fact that they did not •belong to the vegetable kingdom; so he invented for them the term Zoophites, which, literally signifies, animals that grow like plants. The term is a mis- nomer but has come into general use. The Zoophites which produce the coral comprise several genera, each of which includes various species, and each species produces a distinct variety of coral but the same general descrip- tion will apply to all. They are all small, the largest seldom being over half an inch in diameter, and the small- est of microscopic dimensions; but they often grow in colonies, or clusters, and the entire mass is often more than twelve feet in diameter. The zoophite or polyp, as the living organism is called, consists of a cylindrical, sac- like membrane, attached to the rock at the lower end. The upper end is partially open and incloses a second sac, similar, but of smaller dimensions, and which hangs, pendulous, within the larger. The mouth of the sac is surrounded with tentacles, and, when open, the polyp resembles a flower in its general appearance, and is often exquisitely beautiful. The sole object in life of this polyp seems to be to se- crete carbonate of lime from the water of the ocean, and to deposit it, as a hard calcareous rock, at the base of the sac. The polyp reproduces itself in vari- ous ways. First by means of eggs which are discharged in immense num- bers, and are carried hither and thither by the waves, until, perchance, they are deposited in some favorable locali- ty, when they hatch and the tiny polyp attaches itself to the rock or soil be- neath it, and begins its growth. Secondly, by division. At a certain stage in its growth many varieties divide, and each division becomes an independent polyp, although attached to a common base and it, in turn, divides and reproduces others of its kind, and thus the operation goes on indefinitely. This is especially true of the variety known as the brain coral, io8 THE MUSEUM. so called from a fanciful resemblance to the human brain. Third, by bud- ding. Small bud-like excresences, branch out from the outer sac. near the point of union with the calcareous matter which it has deposited, and to which they attach themselves, and thus form independent polyps. Be- sides, if any portion of the living polyp be broken from the parent stock, it may take root and grow, and from a nucleus for a new colony. The coral polyp cannot live at the surface, nor at a depth of more than one hundred feet, nor in water the temperature of which is less than sixty- eight degrees above zera. Specimens of coral, however, are found in all parts of the world and at various eleva- tions, both above and below the sea level, thus showing that neither the temperature, nor elevation is the same now that it has been at various periods of the world's history. It is even claimed by some, (and the advocates of this theory number some of the most eminent geologists,) that the limestone rocks of the St. Lawrence valley, and of the upper part of the Missouri river, and in New Jersey, and a few other places are but coral formations which have been metamorphosed by the ac- tion of heat. The hypothesis is rather bold, but not at all improbable. In the South Pacific Ocean, coral has been taken from the rocks at a depth of more than twelve hundred feet; it is, however, never found, in this region, at a greater elevation than it could have been thrown by the waves. This demonstrates that the islands in that locality have slowly settled, and adds another link to the chain of evidence which connects the Pacific Archipelago with an extensive continent which formerly occupied that portion of the- globe. In general appearance coral' islands much resemble one another. They are all level, and raised but a few feet above the surface of the ocean. They invariably rest upon the top of a sub- merged mountain, which they generalh- encircle; and they reproduce to a cer- tain extent the contour of their base. Generally they are in the shape of a circle, more or less elongated, and in- close, within the ring, a shallow body of water which is termed a lagoon. Sometimes, however, the lagoon be- comes filled and the whole constitutes a single, circular island. Then, too, the surrounding circle is often broken, sometimes into numerous pieces, so that, instead oi a ring surrounding a lagoon, there may be hundreds of little islands. This is especially noriceable in the Maldine Archipelago, whose chief styles himself, "Sultan of Twelve Thousand Islands. " The flora of a coral island numbers but a very few species, and its fauna, still fewer. Its soil is composed almost wholly of carbonate of lime, sometimes covered with a deposit of decayed vegetable matter. The tendency of the polyp is to grow upward, but, when it reaches the sur- face it is obliged to turn, and, growing • laterally, it forms huge, overhanging masses, which arc broken off by the waves, and thrown upon the top (^f the formation. This is repeated, again and again, until an island, ten or twelve feet above the surface of the ocean, has been formed, (iradually sea-weed, and other organic substan- ces, are thrown upon the island by the action of the waves, and these, decay- ing, become; mixed with the calcareous. THE MUSEUM. 109 sand which the elements have ground from the coral, and, at length a soil is formed which is capable of sustaining vegetable life. Then seeds of some hardy plant are transported thither. They may be carried in the stomach of birds, or blown by the wind, or drift- ed by marine currents; but they reach the island and germinate, and, in a brief period, under the influence of a tropical climate, the island teems with vegetable life. Ne.xt, birds flock to its shores, for breeding purposes, and re- main to live. Various amphibia are .attracted thither. Insects and birds less powerful of wing are blown by winds from neighboring islands and find a refuge. And, finally, certain mammals may be and sometimes are, drifted by the sea currents to these is- lands. Thus, by the slow action of nature, the islands eventually become populated. Often coral islands, instead of sur- rounding empty lagoons, encircle is- lands. In this case, although their ; method of formation is the same, they are termed coral reefs. If they occur near the shore, they are called fringing reefs; and, if distant, the name of ■ harries reefs has been given to them. : Some of the barrier reefs are of im- mense extent. Thus, along the north- east coast of Australia, there is a chain of barrier reefs, e.xtending, in an almost unbroken line, for a distance of twelve hundred miles. In but few places is this reef more than thirty miles distant from the shore. The water in the channel between the reef and the shore is seldom more than one hundred and fifty feet deep; but, outside the reef it suddenly deepens to nearly twelve thousand feet. Within the channel the largest ship might sail, for more than one thousand miles within sight of land on either side; and, in fact it would be next to impossible for it to leave the channel until its end was reached. From the fact that the coral islands are constantly increasing in size and number, the statement has been made, that, in the course of time, the South Pacific Islands will be united and form a vast continent; and, that, when man has, by his extravagance, wasted the resourses which the world now offers him, the new continent will be ready for his occupancy. As a poetical sen- timent, or a moral reflection, it is a beautiful idea; but it is one that can never be realized. Even were there no physical conditions to prevent, there is not enough lime on the whole face of the globe to form the basis of such a mass of coral. Neither is such an event desirable; for a country with but a single kind of soil, without minerals other than lime without metals, lying so near the level of the sea, with little or no chance for drainage, and no change of scenery or climate, does not offer any peculiar advantages to the civilization of the present day. On the Preparation of Mammal Skins for Study. For the study of mammals a collec- tion of specimens is not only desirable but is indispensable. Before a mam- mal is in any shape to be used as a specimen of a certain species, it will be necessary to spend sometime in its pre- paration. The collector will have .to practice great care from the time he goes into the field until he lays the pre- pared specimen in the cabinet. Among the many reasons for always making up a neat specimen, we wish to no THE MUSEUM. emphasize the following. Many char- acters can be shown only by perfectly ' prepared material. The student will soon want to collect from places distant to his immediate locality. One of the best ways to do this is by means of exchange. He will at once have to deal with the fastidious collector and the only way to do busi- ness with that gentleman is to send him good specimens. A nicely prepared specimen will al- ways be more carefully handled. It will be apt to be preserved for a long- time and may continue to be useful long after the collector has ceased to be. It is generally conceded that a skin is much more useful and convenient for study, than is a mounted specimen. A skin can be made in much less time, can be stored in a smaller space, can be examined more readily and is more easily packed for shipment. However this may be a poorly mounted specimen is much worse than a good skin. Most of us can learn to make a presentable skin, while but few of us will become expert taxidermists. That a skin shall be first class, several points in its preparation must be ob- served. First of all, it nuist be thoroughly cured and well poisoned. It must be accompanied by the skull. A label must be attached to it, which, among other things must bear the record of certain carefully made meas- urements. It must be well made, shapely and clean. When you catch your mammal do it in such a way that the skull bones and teeth will not be injured.'"'' It is best not to beirin work on the specimen until it has lost its animal heat. Stretch the body out, move the legs and body to get rid of the stiffness, and take the measurement as indi- cated farther on. Recoid the meas- urements in millimeters, not in inches. The first measurement is the length This is from the tip of the nose co the end of the last tail vertebra. (Length of body and tail. ) Stick a pin in the table. Let the nose touch it. Stretch out the tail and stick another pin in the table just at the end of the tail vertebra. Measure the distancs be- tween the pins. The second measurement is that of the tail. Lay the animal on its ven- tral surface. Raise the tail vertical to the body. Measure from the base of the tail to the tip of the last tail verte- bra. A pair of dividers will be found necessary. The third measurement is that of the leg-. With the dividers measure the distance on the leg from the end of the "heel" (calcaueum) to the tip of the longest claw. The fourth measurement is that of the car. With the dividers get the distance from the tip to the crown of the head. The hairs are not to be measured. Now, when you have done the measuring and noted the sex you are read}' to write the lable. The lable may be of any size and shape to please your fancy. Only don't have it large enough to wrap the specimen in. Make it of strong paper and write it with waterproof India ink. The la- ble should bear your name, the name * For future papers, we wish to reserve our notes on various modes of capturinp: small inaninials. In llic ini-antinui \sc shall lie i)le- ased to read any notes on traps or other con- trivances that would be of use to theeollector. Notes on halts or on the food of certain mam- mals would bo very interesting. THE MUSEUM. 1 1 1. of the specimen, the sex, your cata- logue number, the date, locality, measurements, and anything else of interest. Let me suggest a size and pattern. Collection of JAMES D. BROOKS. 364. TamiaS striatus. Female. Waterloo, De Kalb Co.,Ind. Aug. 12, i8go. 239- 97- 35- 16. Pouches full of maple seeds. The above figure shows both sides of the label. A string may be passed through holes in the end (the two dots :) and the label securely tied to the left leg of the specimen. When you have prepared a label similar to the above, you are ready to skin the mammal. Not before. If measuring and cataloguing are too much trouble, throw the specimen away and spend your time on some- thing else. Lay the mammal on its back. Ex- tend an incision along the median ven- tral surface from a point posterior to the arms, to the vent. The opening must be large enough for the body to pass through. Loosen the skin as far down on each side as possible. It should also be loosened around each leg. The legs may then be pulled up and the skin pushed down to the toes. If it is more convenient, the legs may be cut off before they are skined. The greater part of the tibia "''' as well as the bones distal to it should be left at- tached to the skin. All flesh should be carefully removed from them. Cut across the vent and loosen the skin all * "Osteology of the Mammalia;" Flowei". will be found to be very useful. around the base of the tail. Remove the tail from the skin. Should there be much fat on the skin of the tail, the tail will have to be split, and the fat removed. Turn the skin back- ward. Treat the arms much as you did the legs, leaving the bones distal to the humerus attached to the skin. Carefully ' cut the skin around the teeth. Every particle of fat and other tissue must now be carefully removed from the skin. If the least bit of fat re- mains it will surely give you trouble. Sew the mouth shut from the in- side. The preservation '•'" i' should now be applied. Be sure that every part is well poisoned. Be careful to get the poison down to the fingers and toes and also the entire length ot the tail. If you are preparing a large skin it may be treated with salt and alum and left over night. It should then be wiped dry and poisoned. If the skin is a small one, it should be stuffed with cotton. Stuff the head quite full. Put less in the neck. Fill the shoulders full, stuff the legs and put enough to round up the hips. Stuff the hind legs. Insert a wire, care- fully wrapped with cotton, clear to the end of the tail. The wire should be long enough lo extend some dis- tance into the body and should be of annealed iron. Write a label on parchment, bearing at least your name and catalogue number: (it is best to * A mixture of three parts arsenic to one of alum is perhaps the best preservative to use. The skin will dry more quickly than if arsen- ical soap is used. t The skin may now be thrown into a strong solution of salt and alum and left until you have more\ime or a better opportunity to- complete it. Use no saltpeter, It will de- calcify the bones and ruin the skin. 1 12 THE MUSEUM. have the entire data on it) and tuck it into the skin, carefully sew up same. Should the skin be a very larg'e one; a body of excelsior should be made. Wires should be employed to support the legs. In shape, the skin should now rou,;v T-r s-"^ ^""^ A Scene on Little Cedar Bayou, Laporte, Texas. From Photo loaned by N. L. Davis, Brockport, N. Y. That day 1 found the nest of Ferru- ginous Rough-leg Hawk with three fresh eggs. Shot both male and fe- male having a lively time getting the eggs. My wife did not dare shoot for they kept too close to my head. The fe- male had another very handsome egg which she would have laid the next day, but a stray shot crushed it all to pieces. The skins were in good shape and the eggs were fine. The next day being Sunday we did not go out but fixed up little things about camp, wrote to friends and en- tertained some callers. It was very amusing to watch the people when they first saw my wife. She was dressed in a full suit of "Duck," short skirt and leggings a regulation hunt- ing coat and carried a little shot gun which she can use much better than a great many "would be hunters" who visit this county every fall. The next day was so windy we did not leave the shelter of the woods but 124 THE MUSEUM. found the nest of an American Golden- eye Duck with six eggs, didn't disturb them as the set was not complete. Found several completed nests of Red- shouldered Hawk but it was too early for eggs. Each day until June i6th was near- ly the same round of collecting inter- spersed with little trips of one two or more days to Devils Lake, Cuthead Soux Indian Reservation, after Mound Builders relics, trips to other smaller lakes and large marshes, each trip an outing in itself. That day June i6th I hurt my right arm badly compelling me to stop work of any kind thereby losing all the best collecting. This accident was the cause of my settling on the shore of Stump Lake where my wife and I would be more than glad to meet the Editor of the Museum or any of his friends, who might chance to visit this part of the country. Alfred H. Eastgate. GAMIELAND MidcUeville, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1894. Mr. Walter F. Webb. Dear Sir:— The Dec. number of The Mu- seum is received. It is an interesting jour- nal for Naturalists to read, and I have every reason to believe that it will be a valuable advertising medium. I congratulate you on the success of your venture. Yours Respectfully, A. B. Cui-M. The Iowa Ornithologist An Illustrated Monthly Magazine Devoted to Ornithology and Oology. Tile January number, wlilch Is Vol. l, No. 2, contains a full page Illustration of the Woodcock, a smaller one of the Bobolink, and seyeral others. This Is the only magazine In tlie Mississippi Valley, which Is devoted to the ntudy of birds. Subscription, 40 cents per year. If you have not seen a copy, send ten cents for one of the January. DAVID L. SAVAGE, Editor, SALEM, IOWA. The Sportsman-Naturalist's illustrated magazine, reveals virgin woods and waters.and treats exhaustively of birds, fishes and quadrupeds, camp life, wood-craft and general ' natural history and natural science. It is not a vulgar "sporting" sheet; the household reads it. Twelve numbers make a book of 4CK) pages. Subscription $1 yearly, postage free, any address. With The Museum I1.5O; three trial numbers, 25 cents No free copies. Address : Gameland, 1267 Broadway, New York, N. Y. SEND 15c. STAMPS ""S!""" '~""> NORMAL CATALOGUE of all European-palsearctic bird eggs, in over 600 numbers, with prices and number of sets for each species. HERCDANN ROLLE. INSTITUTION FOR NATURAL HISTORY, BERLIN N. W., EMDENER-STR. 4, GERMANY. Bird Life in Ladrador, BY W. A. STEARNS, A neat little book of 100 pp., covering the Birds of Labrador probably more complete than anything heretofore written. Offered now for the tix'st time. Prepaid, 7oc; or with the Museum one y-ear, $1.50. Address, PUBLISHER MUSEUM, ALBION, N . Y INTERNATIONAL Entirely AVrc. Abreast of tite Times. A Grand Educator. DICTIONARY Siicce.'isor of flir " Vnabridged. ' ' Standard of the U. S. Gov't rrinting Office, the U. S. Supreme Court and of nearly all the Schoolbooks. ■\Varnily commended by every State Sujierinteu- dent of Schools, and other Educators almost M-ithoiit number. A Collepo I*r<-sidcnt ■writes : " For ease " wiMi v.liu'U the eye finds tho 'word sought, " for r.crxiracy of definition, for effective "nu'lliods ill indi<'ating pronunciation, for " terse y«'t conijireliensive statements of facts, " and for practical use as a worliinpf dicfion- " ary, ' AV«'l>ster's International' excels any " other sing'Io volume." The One Great Standard Authority, So writes lloii. I). .T. Browor, Justice XT. s. Snpioaui Court. G.iH' C. MI:rRIAMCO., Publishers, SpriimfieUl, Masft., V. S. A. f !/■ • SiMi.l to tlK' pulilislHTS for frco iianiplilet. By-' 1)11 lint liny rlRMp irpriiits of luirioiit 0(11110118. THE MUSEUM. 125 ■■'^^'- \^-j,..~^.'-^--un^ Group of Waders, Mounted by Chas. K. Reed, Taxidermist and Dealer in Everything Needed by Naturalists or Taxidermists. It will soon be collecting season. Have you all the tools you need? If you are in want of anything, remember we have the best and your orders will be promptly filled. Send two cent stamp for our Illustrated Catalog, mention Museum, and we will enclose something worth 60 cents to you if you are a collector. CHAS. K. REED, 267 Main St., Worcester, Mass. APGAR'S POCKET KEY to the Birds of the Northern U. S. East of the Rocky Mountains. For years the Editor of the Museum has had in mind a small Pocket Key to the birds of Eastern U. S. A small neat volume easily carried in the pocket, giving some distinguishing feature, that might serve as a guide to identifying birds in the field — and also to quickly tell where to locate an entirely new spe- cies one has shot in the field. Mr. Apgar has condensed into a little book 4x51 in., 62 pages, just what is needed by all young collectors of Birds and Eggs, putting the price at 50c, prepaid For $1.00 we will send the Key and Ornithologist and Oologist Manual, leather bound, advertised elsewhere. Address, WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION N. Y. 126 THE MUSEUM. THE LATEST DATING STAMP. Every Collector should have one. CTS. POSTPAID. Satisfaction Guaranteed. R. W. FORD, BRISTOL, CONN. Self-Inking Pads 25c. extra. AGENTS WANTED. B AKRR & HANSON Collectors of Florida Sea Shells and Curios. Dealers and Collectors desiriug Florida Sea Fowls Eggs aud Alligators and their eggs should send in their order in lime for nesting season. Baker & Hnson, Myers, Florida, E^gs of Birds of Prey Cheap. I have the following fine sets or singles for sale, with original datas : Mississippi Kite, 11, 1-2 $1 75 Marsh Hawk 1-.^, 1-4 : 18 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1-4 : M Harris' Hawk. 1-3. 1-2, 1-1 30 European Buzzard. 2-3, 3-2, 2-1 2.5 Western Redtail. 1-2, 1-1 3.5 Red-bellied Hawk, 1-2. 1-1 .50 Zone tailed Hawk, 1-3 1 50 Swainson Hawk, 1-3, 1-2 35 Broad-winged Hawk, 1-3, 1-1 45 Rough-legged Hawk, 2-2, 1-1 25 Golden Eagle, 2-1 3 .50 Gray Sea Eagle, 1-2 1 25 Merlin. 1-3 25 Kestrel, 2-4 14 Duck Hawk. 1-2.. 125 Audubon's Caracal a, 1-2 tJO And many others. Send 2 cents stamps for price list. W. RAINE, BLEEKER STREET, TORONTO, CANADA. The Iowa Ornitliologist. A Quarterly Magazine, devoted to OrnithiUo- gy and 0(Mogv. Forty cents per year. Samplecopies lOc. Published forXhe Iowa Ornithological Ass'n. David L. Savage, Editor, Salem, la. When answering ads. mention Museum. SEND ROR ITT 'iPo.MPOUND Oxygen— Its Mode of Action and Re- ^ svilts."-is the title of a book ol '^JOO pages, pub lished by Drs. Starkey & Palen, which gives to all in- quirers full information as to this remarkable curative- agent, and a record of surprising cures in a wide- range of chronic cases— many of them after being abandoned to die by other physicians. Will be mailed- free to any address on application. Mention The Musedm. DRS. STARKEY & PALEN, 1529 Arch St., Phila. Pa. 120 Sutter St., S. Fran'co, Cal, The Infant. An Illustrated Monthly Magazine DEVOTED TO Ornithology and Philately. Subscription, 25 cents per year- Sample, 5 cents^ Hopkins & Farmer, Amoskeag, N. H. RUBELLITE. A Beautiful Cluster of of Pink Crys- tals in Gre}'ish Rock. One of the handsomest minerals in existence. Choice specimens prepaid as fol- lows. I X I $ 15 2x2 35 3x3- 75 4x4 I 50 5x5 3 oa 6x6 5 oo- Send on orders at once before sup- ply is exhausted. W. F. 'WEBB, Albion, N. Y. BIRDb EGGS, INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES, SENT ON APPROVAL. Tht^ largest aiul most complete stock ia America to select from, at Kock Hottonx Prices. Kslimates and prices ou large or small orders clieerfiilly furnished. SEND FOR 1885 CATALOGUE. FRED W. STACK, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. 127 WE CAN DO YOUR PRINTING a little better or a little cheaper than most anybody else. We have every facility for it. Drop us a card (men- tioning the Museum) for samples and prices. A. M. EDDY, ALBION, N. Y. Herkimer Co. Crystals. FINEST IN THE WORLD! Exhibit at the World's Fair Received Hie;hest Award, Medal ami Diploma. Iwjllsenrl a choice collection of S'l of the^f Famous Gems, postpaid, for only 7U cents. Every new customer purchasing this popular collec- tion will be presented with a handsome glass tube, containing 10 Microscopic Crystals, absolutely perfect, and so very .small that it takes 11,000 to weigh one ounce. Take advantage of this unparallelled offer to- day. HERKIMER CO. MIDDLEVILLE, N. Y. An illustrated iO-page monthly devoted to the t^tudy of Nature. Circulation rapidly iucreasinir, now being 3000. Only 50 cents per Year. KI-iKK EXCHANGE COLxUMK. Send in your subscription and commence with vol. 2, No. 1. Vol. 2 commences with the January, 1895. number, and will contain over 100 llhis'rations during the year. Address, G. Be CHENEY, OREGON CITY, OREGON, Naturalists' Supply Depot. Catalogue for '95 now Ready. Send 10 cents for copy. REDUCED PRICES. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., HYDE PARK, MASS. When answering ads. mention Museum. Secure $i worth of any Specimens in my large Catalog by subscribing to the MUSEUM NOW! THE OFFER: Send $i.oo bill and I will give \'ou $i.oo worth of anything you desire. The Museum one year and two Coupons, each good for a free ex- change notice. If you haven't one of my Catalogs, order from any other reliable dealer's lists and I will accept them. If 30U are interested in Skins, Fine Shells, or Curios, send for new lists. Subscribe now and by so doing, take advantage of the most liberal offer ever made before. Faithfully, W. F: WEBB. 128 THE MUSEUM. SPECIALTIES IN MUSEUM HARDWARE The undersigned manufactures Spec- ial Brackets and Racks for adjustable shelves (Fig. 1.) Also several kinds of Monitor Locks (Fig. 2— this style is No. 10. ) These are arranged for all varie- ties of Museum Cases (either upright or table style) French Windows, Bookcas- es, etc. Special machine (Fig. 4) for making Rock Sections, arranged for steam or foot power. Also sevei-al styles for cutting and polishing Miner- als, Petrified Wood, etc., on hand or furnished to order. Adopted and recommend l>y the rrin- cipal museums of the United States. Full information given on application to EMa T. Jenks Middleborough, Wi: Plymouth Co., Mass. Fig. 4 THE NAUTILUS. A Monthly devoted to tlie interests of Con- chologists. Edited and published by H. A. PILSBRY, Academy of Natural Sciences, and C. W. JOHNSON. Wagner Free Institute. Philadelphia, Pa. Subscription, $1 per year; sample copy, 10c. TINY Relief Maps FOR SCHOOLS OF ALL (iRADES. Syslcmatic collections, MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, LANTERN SLIDES. ETC. "Washington School Collections. Minerals, Rocks and Invertel)rate Animals. It Is safe to say that no coUectlons of equal excel- lence have ever before been offered In this country at so low a price (I'-' eichi. .Send for circular. EDWIN E. HOWELL, 6ia 17th St.. N. W.. WashinKtiai, U. C. Arrow Heads of semi-precious stone from Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, etc., are elegant and becom- ing scarce. 10,000 flint Arrows and Spears from all over the United States, from $.05 to $2.00 each — common forms to choice and rare. A variety will be sent on application to any one giving good references. I pay i)Ostage one way. A few cents will return the pack- age. The Noble Fossils of the Cheyenne River Bad Lands. Three tons of line Minerals; most all the species in Dana furnished. Shells, Aluminum Goods, Agiite and Pyrites Jewelry, Sioux Indian Welics. Catalogue with prices, for stamp. Natural History Establishment L. W. STILWELL, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. DEAD\A^OOD, S. D. BUY YOUR SUPPLIES FOR '95 where you can buy the Cheapest If you have not already received my Ncic Years Greeting and Speeial Offer, write for it at once. In the dissolution of the late firm of F. H. Lattin & Co., I retained the entire Mammoth Stock of Naturalists' Supplies as well as Bird Eggs, Skins, Minerals, etc., etc. I also retained nearly the entire lot of Cabinets, all Fixtures, all Facilities for handling the trade, which were second to none in the Country. I am also located within 300 feet of both Mail, Express and Tele- graph Offices; getting seven mails daily. Do not place your orders before writing for prices. Faithfully, WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. ? HAVE YOU READ The Special Premmm Offer In This Number? VOL. I. NO. 5 MARCH, 1895. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted Exclusively to Research in Natural Science. RA TES : — $1.00 per year to all countries, in advance. Single numbers, 10 cts Published the Fifteenth of Each Month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, IV. Y. The Ornithologist's and Oologist's MANUAL Just Published. The neatest and handiest thing for the Collector that has ever been put on the market. A Handbook of information and Man- ual that you will want with you the whole year round. Contains among other things, a complete list of all North American Birds with prices of their eggs and skins. Full in- structions how to make a bird or mammal skin. How to blow and prepare eggs for the cabinet, mount nests, etc. How to pack and ship any of the above specimens, mammoth list of books, instruments and supplies desired by every live working Natura- list, useful information in this line, receipts, etc., etc. A neat little volume 4 1-2x6 1-2 containing 100 pages, just the right size to be easily carried in the pocket. Worth $1 to anyone, but will be sent prepaid on receipt of 25 cents or 5 for $1. Bound in full leather for 50 cents. Order at once, as the supply is very limited. WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. WANTS- EXCHANGES AND FOR SALES. All notices that come under above will be inserted in this department until further notice' at one-half (i) cent a word. No notice less than 25c. Terms Cash with crder. No charge for address. I shall at all times endeavor to keep parties, whose reputation is of a doubtful char- acter from usiug these columns. ADD TO YOUR COLLEECTION.— A rare opportunity. 100 all different foreign stamps foi 15 cents. This assortment includes many from English Colonies, Tin'key, etc. ROBT. V. ERSKINE, Box 326, Lake Forest, 111. STAMP COLLECTORS.— Packet C con- , tains 1,000 foreign stamps, fine bargain fen* *60 cents. Packet D contains 100 all different stamps, all rare for 50 cents. Packet E con- tains 500 rare foreign stamps, many varieties, price 50 cents. We give $10 in Confederate bills to all who pav us with silver or money orders. THE ROBERT L. MAXWELL Co., South Bend, Ind. I HAVE birds' eggs, bird skins, mammal skins, dint arrows, deer antlers to exchange or sell. Send stamp for my list of same. C. F. FITE, Denver, Ind. DO YOU WAN r Florida bird skins or eggs? If so enclose stamp for prices to A. M. NICH- OLSON, Curio Dealer, Orlando, Fla. WILL EXCHANGE —Double action re- volver, 32 cal., value $11. safety razor, $1.50; Swedish razor. $2, and several cloth bound novels, for best offer of eggs in sets with full data. Collectors desiring to exchange sets for Florida sets Write me. Choice eggs cheap for ca<5h. All letters answered. C. D. WALKER. Windsor, Fla. NOTICE. — Would like to exchange sets from this locality for those of others, this sea- son. Collectors from other states please write. All answered. W. A. MEAD, Carmel, Put. Co, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE for eggs in sets with data. Fine specimens of birds and mammals, either land or water, in the meat or fresh skins. Send your list and receive mine. RILEY P. BROWN, Collector and Taxidermist, Milton, Wis. SEND 10 CENTS —Pure spruce chewing gum from the Maine woods, taken from spruce trees which grow only in the State of Maine. Send 10 cents for sample package. Pure and nice, no adulteration. AROOS- TOOK GUM CO., Box 436, Caribou, Maine. FOR SALE.— We have the best climbers made. Will climb either rough or smooth bark trees. Manufactured from fine steel. They are light, handy, strong and durable. Pri(te only 80 cents. Satisfaction guaranteed. Every collector should have a pair. Addre.ss R. C. ALEXANDER, Plymout.i, Mich. NOTICE —I have the following 1st class sets, full data for exchange- Nos. 622b 1-6, 3-5, 2-4; 591b 3-4 499 7-3, 2-4: 743a 15, 613 1-4. First class sets with data wanted. WM. L. ATKINSON. Box 147, Santa Clara, Cal. SEND 30 CENTS and receive postpaid, book of our new datas Send list of eggs for sale or exchange. KERR & PERHAM, Sandwich, 111. WANTED. — Good microscope for books; as Wood's, Buffon'sand Cecils" Natural History, Alden's Cyclopedia of Natural History, 2 vol- umes, new, and (xoodell type writer. FRANK SrUART. Ritzville, Wash. EXCHANGE NOTICE. — Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. I have a large collection of du- plicates in papers, correctly identified, which I wish to exchange for other insects, or for good bird skins, or works on Ornithology. Correspondence solicited. A. H. KILMAN, Ridgeway, Out., Can. TO EXt^HANGE.— Two good double action 32 cal. revolvers. Make offer. J. HAMIL- TON, Petersburg, Ills. WANTED.— Fox and Black Squirrels, and coast birds in the meat. Will give first class sets and mounted birds. F. M. RICHARDS. Farmington, Maine. WANTED.— Bird card,s. 1st series, "Arm & Hammer Brand," in first class order. 50 cents will be given in exchange. M. W. CLARKE, 232 1st St., S E., Washington, D. C. BOWEN & GASKILL, wholesale shipper of Maurice River Cove Oysters, by the 1,000. Bivalve, N . J. • I WILL give 100 stamps for every egg, first class that is worth over 10c. . that is sent me. WALTER E. McLAIN, New Vineyard, Me. TRY MY tine approval sheets of U. S. and foreign stamps at 50 per cent commission. All orders tilled promptly. C. C. BLOOD, Box 904, Albion, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE.— Magazines Harpers',, Scribner's Century, etc., for war weapons and Indian relics, labeled. H. K. MATTISON, 38 W. 130th St.. New York City, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE.— Two microscopes, good condition, cost $2 50. and 50 cts. respectivelj-, for Our Birds in Their Haunts, or a May- nard's Birds of Eastern North America. J.G. SMITH, 5 Pleasant St., Bradford, Pa. I30 THE MUSEUM. HIGHEST CASH OFFER takes the lot. 4 1-4, 429 1-2 & n, 431 1-2 & n, 510 1-4, 519 1-5, 581c 1-3, 591b 1-3, and singles of 120c, 187, & 620. All tirst class wiih datas. A. I, Mc- CORMACK, 503 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, Calif. WANTED. Choice minerals or shells. Will exchange Maynard's Butterflies, $7.50, new copy, direct from publishei's. Also mi- croscope slides or other articles. State what von have and what you want. Address OBSERVER, Portland, Conn. DATAS. — Large 4x6 data blanks, generally sell at 60 cents per 100, I sell at 35 cents. Will also print blanks to order. Send design for estimate of price. Satisfaction guaranteed. Send stamp for samples. THOS. H. BLODG- ETT, Galesburg. 111. FOR SALE to highest bidder:— A 7ixl3ir Excelsior press, cost $44.00; 25 lbs. 10 point Roman type and several fonts job type. All good as new. Proof of type for stamp. W. A. JOHNSON, Galesburg, 111. PRIME SPECIMENS of birds and mam- mals, either land or water, in the meat or fresh skins to exchange for arrow heads, spears, etc. Send vour list and receive mine. RILEY P. BROWN, Collector and Taxidermist, Milton, Wis. TO EXCHANGE:— Mounted birds such Snowy Owl, G. H. Owl, Bald Eagle, Pelican, Peacock, etc., for a good Hammerless shot- gun, 12 gauge, Parker preferred. H. M. WOLF, Kewanee, 111. FOR SALE: — Data blanks "two styles" at twenty cents per hundred. Please send postal for samples. R. E. CASE, Avon, Conn. WILL EXCHANGE 4-keyed flute in good <-ondition v ith instruction book, cost $4.50 for$i 00 in U. S fractional currency or $1.00 in rare issues. First answer gets it. E. H. SHORT, Gaines, Orleans Co., N Y. TO EXCHANGE:— Miniature incandescent light; one-inch Bnck eye piece; two-storied nest of Yellow Warbler; nest of White-eyed Vireo, naturalist paper-; for ornithological or niamn)alogi(^al books. CHARLES F. SWAN, Box 3, Abingtou, 111. REVOLVERS FOR SALE.— One 22 long, hammerless, double action seven shot. One 22 long double action seven shot. One 22 long single action seven shot. One 22 long pistol one shot. Make me a cash olTer on one or all. They go to highest bidder. DWIGHI CHAPMAN, Sonth Bend, Ind. TO EXCHANGE.— Birds skins, sets and single (^ggs for line sets with data. B. H. 'SWALES, 1220 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich. I HAVE several varieties of fossils to ex- chancre for old manuscripts, newspapers of the date of 1805 or before, fossils, Indian rel- ics, set ('iirios, minerals, etc. J. O. TIF- FANY, Mason City, Iowa. WANTED.— Old and odd guns, pistols and daggers, complete or incomplete, for myprivate collection. Will pay cash or exchange. Works on all branches of natural history, also bird skins, eggs, Indian relics, mounted birds, and two old grandfathers tall clocks in perfect rimuing order. E. P. CLARK, M. D., Mor- risville, Madison Co., N. Y. I WILL exchange anything in the line of Florida curios, skins, eggs, &c for good bird dog or field glass. A.M. NICHOLSON, Or- lando, Fla. FINE ENGLISH SETTER and Pointer puppies to trade for eggs, skins or books. They will hnd lots of ground nests and give you'lots of sport. Send lists. J. H. BROWN, 113 Prentiss St., Iowa City, la. WANTED. — One first-class skin of Scissor- tail Flycatchei', must be fine. Will give in exchange a first-class set of two Turkey Vul- ture with data WALTON MITCHELL, 534 Summit Ave., St. Paul, Minn. FOR SALE or EXCHANGE —H. and R. automatic ejector double action revolver, 32 cal. 3i inch barrel, rubber handles, uickle plated, new. For the best offer of eggs or good huntmg coat. J. O. JOHNSON, Lock Box 550, Southington, Conn. ■ WANTED.— Not less than (6) six large tar- antulas mounted in first-class order price to be reasonable. M. J. PARKES, Green Bay, Wis. EXCHANGE. — Botanical specimens with those wishing to exchange specimens from their locality for those found here, also any thing in Curios, Birds eggs. Wood, Shells and Minerals. Any one having anything to ex- change please write me. BOX 39, So. Lynde- boro, N. H. WANTED. — A good Bicycle, will give in exchange Mounted birds. Mammals, deer heads, fur mats and skins. I will exchange bird skins of this locality for skins and eggs in sets with data, first-class specimens only. JOHN CLAYTON, Taxidermist, Lincoln, Me. SALE or EXCHANGE.— A new ''Trap'* twist single breech loading shot gun. Fine collection birds eggs, 100 varieties. A Col- umbian $1 stamp used, in fine condition. An excellent ferret trained for hunting. Wanted a good double barrel or Winchester Repeat- ing Shot (iun. Enclose stamp. LAWRENCE SMITH, Arcade, N. Y. FOR SALE. — One albino squirrel nicely mounted for best olfer over 4.50. Also seal, deer, mink, coou, muskrat. .skunk, fox and some other skulls cheap. ALVAH G. DORR, Bucksport, Me. COLLECTORS and Taxidermists, send for my price list of birds and nianimals, either land or watoi", in the meat or fresh skins, which I can furnish you in large or small (|uantities at lowest living prices. RILEY P. BKOVVN, Collector and Taxidermist, Milton, Wis. THE MUSEUM. 131 WANTED;— Birds er supplies. Send full list and vvhat you want to get. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE:— Beautiful St. Bernard dog, 2 years old. registered and entered in New York Kennel Club; for b<^st otfer in eggs oologists books, or cash. B. E. (tRIFFFTHS, 522 N. 23d St., Omaha, Neb. _ « FOREIGN STAMPS, quantity of common U. S., nice telegraph instrument and outtit. lot of Gladioli bulbs, phrenology books, fos- sils, Stai- tish, Shark and Skate eggs, gold and silver solution, receipts for plating, Scott's (1894) Stamp Catalogue, etc., for any kinds any quantiti'^s of Columbians, Confederate stamps and bills, foreign and other stamps. Mound, war and Indian relics, curios, etc. ROBERT L. STEPHENS, Walnut St., Dan- ville, 111. THE EXCHANGE columns of the Musedm are open to all. Rates I cent a word. No notice less than 25c. Try it once and you will be convinced. A FAIR SAMPLE:— 1 wish to insert an- other wanted in your ^iusEUii. The one I put in before brought me over 50 letters in reply also many valuable additions to my collection. 1 am sure an ad. in the Museum is better placed than in any similar paper ex- tant. Wishing you every success I am vex'y respectfully E. P. CLARK M. D., Morrisville. N, Y. ARTIFICIAL EYES, best English makeTl) gross, black assorted sizes. 1 to 12, $1.25; G gross colored, assorted color and size, 1 to 12, $5. Either of the above lots sent carriage paid on I'eceipt of P. O. order. CHAS. JEF- FERYS, Naturalist and Taxidermist, Tenby, E"g. A RARITY:— We have offered us a tine copy of Audubon's ''Birds of America", the lithographed edition of 1861. The plates are elephant folio, the text octavo, in seven volumes, bound in half Morocco. The work needs no comments and is well known the world over as the rarest of its kind. A copy sold recently at sheriff's sale brought $900.00. This one is chpap at $1200.00. Offers solicit- ed. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. NOTICE, — Any parties wishing to reach N. L. Davis, whose home address is Brock- port, N. Y.. but for some months past one of the chief assistants of the edito'^ of the Mu- seum, should address him at Marysville, Unita Co,, Wyoming, where he has gone to collect the "Varments of the Rockies.,' LOOK! LOOK! LOOK! If I decide to take a trip to Labrador, from about July 1 to Aug. 15, collecting (there'll be plenty of birds and eggs even then) how many will go with meV Ex))enses $75, from Quebec back again. Ad- dress: W. A. STEARNS, Care The Museum, -Albion, N. Y. UNITED STATES Postage Stamps, 40 dif- ferent, including scarce and old issues post free$l. English stamps, 48 different, includ- ing old issues, "(rovt. Parcels," etc., $1, post free. CHAS. JEFFERYS, Naturalist, Tenby, Eng. CHOICE EUROPEAN Birds Eggs cheap by mail or express. Send 5 cents for price lists. ('HAS. JEFFERYS, Naturalist, Tenby, Eng. WANTP^D:— Pupils in short-hand, penman- ship, bookkeeping, or Spanish. I teach all these branches by mail and personally secure good positions when competent. I make the securing of good positions for my pupils a speciality. No other school does that. For circulars and information write, W. G.CHAF- FEE, Oswego, N. Y. WANTED; — To correspond with those who have a few dollars to invest the comingseason in mounted birds, skins or eggs in sets from North Dakota and Manitoba. Am booking orders frem some of the best, well-known col- lectoi's in America. I will be accompanied by a first-class taxidermist during this my third trip to the Northwest. Correspondence desired with taxidermist in regard to furnish- ing fresh, pliable skins of Franklin's Gull, Geese. Ducks. Terns, White Pelican, etc., EDWIN S. BRYANT, Davison, Mich. EXCHANGE.— 1 combined Lathe and saw (Goodel's Improved) with tools, first-class con- dition, cost $13. Wanted 3 candlepower in- candescent lamp, what am I offered. C. E. CUMMINGS, 560 Auburn Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. COLUMNS. Try our exchange columns. If you have anything you want to sell or ex- change here is the place for it. We will accept first-class specimens at one-half rates in pay- ment of space in these columns if you cannot spare the money. WANTED.— A tirst-class fossil of a tish. Will give in exchange nine different fossils or seven different Fractional Currency prices. PERRY MARKS, Corn Exchange Bank, New York City. I HAVE the following skins to exchange: 431, 433, 743a, 530, 517a, 581a. 557, 727a, 407, 413. 481, 120c Skins of other, localities wanted. PHIL K. GILMAN, 170 9th St., Oakland, Cal. SEND 15c. STAMPS f^^i^^'''' "'"""'^^ NORMAL CATALOGUE of all European-palosarctic bird eggs, in over 600 numbers, with prices and number of sets for each species. HERrDANN ROLLE. INSTITUTION FOR NATURAL HISTORY, BERLIN N. W., EMDENER-STR. 4, GERMANY. When answering ads. mention Museum. 132 THE MUSEUM. Relief Maps The Naturalist, FOR SCHOOLS OF ALL GRADES. Syslcmalic collections. MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, LANTERN SLIDES, ETC. Washington School Collections. Minerals, Rocks and Invertebrate A limals. It is safe to say that no collections of equal excel- lence have evei' before been offered in this country at so low a price ($2 each). Send for circular. EDWIN 612 17th St., N. W., E. HOWELL, Washington, D. C. THE NAUTILUS. A Monthly devoted to the interests of Con- chologists. Edited and published by H. A. PILSBRY, Academy of Natural Sciences, and C. W. JOHNSON. Wagner Free Institute. Philadelphia, Pa. Subscription, $1 per year; sample copy, 10c. TINY Arrow Heads of semi-precious stone from Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, etc.. are elegant and becom- ing scarce. 10,000 Hint Arrows and Spears from all over the United States, from $.05 to $2.00 each — common forms to choice and rare. A variety will be sent on application to any one giving good references. I pay postage one way. A few cents will return the pack- age. The Noble Fossils of the Cheyenne River Bad Lands. Three tons of fine Minerals; most all the species in Dana furnished. Shells, Aluminum Goods, A Rate and Pyrites Jewelry, Sioux Indian Welics. Catalogue with prices, for stamp. Natural History Establishment L. W. STILWELL, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. DEAUWOOD, S. D. Old Coins, Stamps, Indian Curios. Large til pjiKe ('atalomic. Illustrated 'Oc. 827 HKANNAN STRKiOT, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. An illustrated 'JO-pagc: monthly devoted to the study of Nature. Circulation rapidly increasing, now being 3000. Only 50 cents per Year. FREE EXOtlANOE COUUMK, Send in j'our subscription and commence with vol. 2, No. 1. Vol. 2 commences with the January, 1895, number, and will contain over KffJ Illustrdlions during the year. Address, G. B. CHENEY, OREGON CITY, OREGON. Naturalists' Supply Depot. Catalogue for '95 now Ready. Send 10 cents for copy. REDUCED PRICES. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., HYDE PARK, MASS. SEND ROR ITT WfOMPOUND Oxygen— Its Mode of Action and Re- V suits." -is the title of a book of ''SJO pages, pub lished by Drs. Starkey & Palen, which gives to all in- quirers full infoi'mation as to this remarkable curative agent, and a record of surprising cures in a wide range of chronic cases— many of them after being abandoned to die by other physicians. Will be mailed free to any address on application. Mention The Museum. DRS. STARKEY &, PALEN, 1529 Arch St., Phila. Pa. 120 Sutter St.. S. Fran'co, Cal, BAKRR & HANSON Collectors of Florida Sea Shflls and Curios. Dealers and Collectors desiring Florida Sea Fowls Eggs and Alligators and their eggs should send in their order in time for nesting season. Baker & Huson, Myers, Florida, The Iowa Ornithoogist. A Quarterly Magazine, devoted to Ornitholo- gy and Oology. Forty cents per year. Sample copies lOc. Published forThe Iowa Ornithological Ass'n. David L. Savage, Editor, Salem, la. GAMELAiND The Sportsman- Naturalist'.s illiistralfd (iiaLca/.ine. rcvi-als virgin woods and waters. and treats exhaustivo^ly of hirds, Hshes and (luadrupeds. camp life, wood-craft and general natural history and natural science. It is not a vulgar "sporting" shi-et; the household reads It. Twelve nuniliers nialu> a book of Kk) pages. Subscription $1 yearly, postage free, any address. With The Museum fl.f)0;"three trial numbers, ari cents No free copios. Address: C amei.and, \-n\~ Hroadway, New York, N.Y. MUSEUM. A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Research in Natural Science. Vol. I. ALBION, N. Y., MARCH 15, 1895. No. 5 Among the Rockies- M. J. ELROD. [Illinois Wesleyan University.] The many enthusiastic readers of the Museum who have not had the privilege of scampering among the mountains of the far west, can form but little idea of the vast scope of country unsettled, and in many places unexplored, of the wondrously roman- tic and beautiful scenery, with c'iffs, crags, ravines, and plateaus, and above all, of the wide field for study and ex- ploration in the various lines of natu- ral history. During the past summer the writer escorted a party of students on a tour for pleasure and profit. Altogether we were an even dozen. A week was spent at Pike's Peak, after which we went direct to Pocatello, Idaho, took teams from there and drove north along the Snake river, a distance of 200 miles, went into and around the National Park, a journey of 200 miles, and returned to Pocatello, making altogether 600 miles or more of travel by teams. On a former occasion, in 1892, I spent two weeks camping and collect- ing at Seven Lakes, a few miles from the summit of Pike's Peak, at an alti- tude of I 1.500 feet, and the following summer spent two weeks camped at Mt. Lou Lou, Montana, collecting and mountaineering. The Editor has kind- ly invited me to give the results of some of these collectings, and it is a great pleasure to again live in my study the days I spent in the field, filled with hardships, though some of them were. In addition to collecting material, I, this summer had a full photographic outfit with a Zeiss-anastigmat wide angled lens, 5x8, a diaphragm shutter, and two gross of plates, with nine double holders. I brought home some seventy- five good negatives, and some of these will be used in the illustrations which accompany these articles. Manitou is one of the loveliest spots on the face of the earth. It is a small town, but larger than it appears, be- ing scattered along the canons, ravines and gorges of that famous sentinel of the plains. Pike's Peak. Nestling among the foothills of the mountain, it bathes in an atmosphere of almost perpetual sunshine, the storm clouds on the peak occasionally lending a solemn grandeur to the scene, which, once seen, can never be forgotten. Down the streets rush the torrents in their mad haste to reach the level plains, with a surging and tumbling of waters delightfully pleasing to those used to the still-running brooks and muddy flats characteristic of the region of the "Father of Waters." Far up in the mountain some of these waters are turned into pipes for the town, giving a supply absolutely pure, and a pressure sufficient to almost blow out a fire. The climate is almost perfect, the scenery sublime, the attractions for artists, naturalists, or sight-seers *34 THE MUSEUM. Entrance to the Garden of the Gods. are far beyond expectations, but they are not to be had for nothing. The attractions in this region are many. It would tire the patience of both the readers and pubhsher to re- cite them all. We :nay take first, however, the "Garden of the Gods," as it is perhaps the most famous. The story is told that the origin of the name was after this wise: The renowned poet and philanthropist, Helen Hunt Jackson, whose home was in Colorado Springs, Colo. , a short distance from which is the famous garden, was one day riding amongst the huge pillars of sandstone, admiring their beauty and wondrous variety of fantastic form, when she met an old negro, whom she accosted: "Good morning! What is your name.' " " Jupiter. " " Have you a wife ?" " Yes'm." " What is her name .'" " Juno, ma'am." " Oh! So this is the Garden of the- Gods, is it .'" And that name it has retained to this da}'. The tired weary traveler who is obliged to trudge on foot through the garden is likely to view it in a different manner from the sentimentalist who drives leisurely from one pillar to an- other, a mile or more away. The hot sun strikes upon the red sand of the- soil and is reflected with an intensity that nnist be felt to be understood. The sand and soil are ground and puh-er- i/ed until the air along the road marks the trend of carriages by the cloud of dust. The hot sand, the stifling dust when there is a crowd sight seeing, the heated atmosphere, and lastly the filthy saloon in the corner of the grounds, — the only house where weary mortals may rest and procure a drink THE MUSEUM. 135- of pure water by slipping around the back way, or a glass of foul liquor through the front way, and it impres- ses itself upon the weary traveler, ex- hausted with wandering in a rare atmosphere, and panting for a cup of cool mountain water, as more nearly the Garden of the Devils than of the Gods. We had a good deal of sym- pathy with a good old lady and her liege lord, both from a region where mountain brook and chasm and air were all unknown. They were piloted through by an imaginative individual and dropped down in town before they could catch a long breath. They called it the "Garden of the hack drivers." The reader who is a collector will appreciate this bit of experience, our first day out. I started for a photo- graphers to fill our plate holders, having forgotten this task. I gave over all my folding insect nets, bottles, and even my camera, to the party to col- lect with, while two of us went to per- form the aforementioned part. We were to meet at the gateway, when the camera would be brought into use and a series of views taken. I was delayed and so got to the gateway after the appointed time, after a three-mile walk. It was deserted. We found a good place to rest, where the Peak was visible between the pillars of red sandstone, and feasted on the sight. It was a grand one. The summit is distant some twelve or fifteen miles, but it looks but two or three. Some light clouds rest above the mountain, and along one side is a small smoke column, marking the point reached by a train on the cog- road. Just beyond the gateway are seen the various rock forms of the Garden, the results of centuries of erosion. How many win- ters the winds, and snows, and storms have beatean upon this sandstone we cannot estimate. The peculiar forma- tions all have their names. A little rock and a good deal of imagination and you have a man, a coach and four, a bear, a sea lion, a frog, or a goat. It is an inspiring sight. At our feet are the odd carvings of wind and rain for ages. The Peak beyond pierces the azure blue of heaven. Eastward the plain stretches away for hundreds of miles until it finally is parted by the great "Father of Waters." To the left is Cheyenne Mountain, one of the most entrancing places of God's crea- tion. To the right is the hill that con- tains the beautiful and fantastic stalac- tites and stalagmites of the region. Far away to the north is seen peak after peak, as far as the eye can fol- low, until lost in the dim haze of dis- tance. One can readily imagine that here the Gods sported and played when ages ago the mountains and plains and gorges and ravines and cliffs were all in process of formation. Man was not yet upon the face of the earth. The face of the red man had not been mir- rored in the placid surface of a moun- tain pool. His blood curdling yell had never b een heard. The trout had not yet ascended the mountain streams, alpine flowers had not yet had an in- troduction into the sunny slopes. The buffalo, the elk, the prairie dog, the deer, the wolf, all were unknown, but in their stead strange beasts of huge size and unwieldly forms roamed at will, while in their rage the Gods tore and rent these huge columns and lay- ers of sandstone, in their wrath, push- ing them high toward heaven, ready to- ■136 THE MUSEUM. topple on some unfortunate passer by. Or possibly in play the force of Adam, as pointed out by the ubiquitous guide, was made and stuck on that pinacle for envious eyes to behold. Balanced Rock, the greatest wonder of the region, a thunderbolt of Jupiter, prob- ably struck vengeance upon some hated rival, and is ready yet, with a little picking at its base, to go thunder- ing down the declivity, carrying death and destruction to everything that might be in its path. No more beau- tiful spot could be selected by the Gods for their habitation. Possibly they carved and moulded the thous- ands of fanciful, grotesque, multiform statutes of purest alabaster in the ad- jacent hills. The Cave of the Winds is witness of their deft fingers and vivid imagination, and each year discovers some new hallway where walked the Gods when weary with care or sadden- ed with jealous bickeriniJ^s. In the Grand Cavern is a beautiful hall where once they were wont to assemble and dance while some one of their number brought forth sweet music from the great organ on the wall, the stalactites of varying size yielding to the magic fingers of a goddess, and echoing such exquisite sweetness as can be made only by the deft fingering of a goddess nymph, and even responding to man with a melody bewildering in sweet- ness and volume. Up in the moun- tains, beyond Cheyenne, beyon-l Mt. Rosa, almost where now is the timber line, enclosed by Pike's Peak, old Baldy, and the smaller peaks betwct-n, was their bathing p'ace. where iheir graceful bodies were dipped in the limpid waters of someone of the Seven Lakes, which are yet clear as cr}stal, pure and fresh as the dews of heaven, mantled on every side by frowning peaks. And lastly, up yonder in South Cheyenne Canon they cut a pathway through a solid wall of granite, two thousand feet high, — the cliffs on either side now called the Pillars of Hercules, — constructed the beautiful Seven Falls, in whose spray they cooled their fevered brows as they climbed to the side of Cheyenne Moun- tain, where they sat and viewed the the plain, winding streams, and the huge unwieldly animals lumbering along, while they drank in the pure air, the sweet perfume of the trees and flowers all around. Now these are beautiful thoughts. They certainly are more entrancing when viewing the scene than on paper. We reveled in the scenery; but at the same time we got hungry, as it was far • into the afternoon, and no companions in sight. We cannnot col- lect, we cannot take pictures, we can- not eat, we can do but one tiling, go to camp. This is more than six miles away, and we have a big load to carry. We pass the cathedral, take one look at the bear and sea lion, and in no amia- ble mood head for the famous balanced rock. Lovely r<. d winged grasshoppers are thick, the big yellow "crackers" tantalize us greatly, an occasional Satyrus is seen, then a gauzy ant lion. We rave, stamp, and groati in despera- tion. It is too much. We shed our burdens and use hats But all moun- tain life is gamey, and luck is not with us. Late in the evening we reach camp, after climbing a few hundred feet. Supper is over, the fire out, the last stra^v has been added. Let the THE MUSEUM. 137 'Sea Lion'" and "Bear". rest remain untold. How many of our readers have "been there.'" There is one individual livin<; that will never be caught in such a fi.x again. To think of going a thousand miles and then tie one's hands ones self. But the next day was different. Two of us again started early, with heavier loads, but to me it seemed nothing. I had camera, plates, nets, gasoline, and some grub. The sun. dust, roads, stones, and ditches seemed more natural. And material to add to the load was plentiful. This is the heart of the region of agricultural ants, whose hills are a conspicuous part of the scenery. The spoor of animals contained numbers of beetles, and still others were found among the grass and under stones. At the Gateway, where yesterday we rested, a gay lizard, Sce/- oporus nndulatus, Daudin, was found darting amongst the roots of a shrub, and after a hard battle was captured. But it soon dawned upon our minds that so many ants should mean ant lions. Nor were we mistaken. A lit- tle search proved them to be numer- ous, but wary and hard to see unless moving. One is obliged to watch where they light, and follow up and make a sweep, half the time at random. But what big gauzy fellows. Our boxes were filled, our pockets bulged, 13^ THE MUSEUM. a basket was full of cacti, a huge toad was tied up in a handkerchief, a second basket was full of rocks, and we could hold or carry no more. The rest of the day, until darkness stopped work, was devoted to exposures, the results of some of which you see. Late at night we trudged to camp, tired and hungry, but how different from the night before. We two at least were happy enough to dance a gig before going to bed. At a later date a list of the insects collected around Manitou will be given. Bloomington, 111. Proceedings United States National Museum, 1885. Notes On the Preparation of Rough Skeletons. BY Frederic A. Lucas. [Continued from February No.) cetaceans: porpoises, blackfish.etc. Porpoise skeletons are very easily prepared, but one or two points, such as the slender cheek-bones, and the pelvic bones or rudimentary hind limbs, require special care. The pelvic bones are so small and so imbedded in the flesh that they are only too often thrown away. It often happens that the last rib lies loose in- the flesh, with its upper end several inches from the backbone. This should always be looked for. There are no bones in the sides of the tail or flukes nor in the back tin, and they can be cut off close to the body and thrown away. The hyoid is largely developed in most cetaceans, and will be found firmly attached to the base of the skull. birds. In preparing a bird for a skeleton a little more care must be used than is necessary with a quadruped, the bones being lighter and more easily cut or broken. The wings terminate in very small, pointed bones, and there is a similar bone — corresponding to the thumb of mammals — hidden in a tuft of feathers on the bend of the wing. It is a good plan to leave this tuft untouched, as well as the outermost two or three wing feathers, so as to lessen the risk of removing any of these little bones with the skin. Other parts requiring special atten- tion are the slender points on the un- der side of the neck vertebrae, those projecting backward from the ribs, and the last bone of the tail. It frequently occurs in birds that many of the tendons become ossified, as they do in the leg of a turkey. Look out for such on the under side of the neck, in the legs and wings, and along the sides of the back, and do not tear off the muscles as you would if preparing a skin. Considerable flesh may be left on the neck and back and a ////;/ coat of arsenical soap will serve to keep out the Dermestes which would otherwise attack these places. The hyoid, or bones supporting the tongue and attached to the windpipe, should be saved, as should also the windpipe itself whenever, as in many ducks, it has bony structures developed in part of its length. In many birds, and esj)ecially in birds of prey, there is a ring of bones surrounding the pupil of the e}'e. It is therefore best — unless \o\\ arc an THE MUSEUM. 139 -expert — not to remove th e eyeball, but to simply puncture it to allow the es- cape of its fluid contents. Remove the brain carefully. Wash and brush the skeleton if time allows, and in making a bundle for packing, bend the neck backward, and fold the legs and wings closely along- side of the body. SPECIAL POINTS. Cormorants have a small bone at- tached to the back of the skull, and in Auks and many similar birds there is a small bone at the elbow. Sometimes there is a little bone at the hinder angle of the lower jaw, so that it is a good rule not to trim up a -bird's skull too closely. TURTLES. In order to rough out a turtle the 'under shell or plastron must be re- moved. In sea turtles and a few others this can be cut loose by taking a little time to the operation, but in more solidly- built tortoises and most fresh-water turtles it is necessary to saw through the plastron. The interior of the body being ex- posed, it is a comparatively easy mat- ter to cut away the flesh. Beware, however, of cutting into any bones, as they are frequently soft in texture and easily damaged. Us- ually this can be done without dis- jointing any of the legs, and it is bet- ter, especially in small specimens, to leave them attached to the body. SNAKES. Snakes require very little care in preparation after the skin has been removed, but in the larger serpents, such as boas and pythons, rudimen- Aspergillum vaginiferum, Lam. Watering-pot shell, from Red Sea. A very curious shell, and the finest of the family. tary hind legs are present and should be carefully preserved. Externally the legs appear as two little claws situated on either side of the vent; internally they are slender bones, about an inch and a half in length, loosely attached to the ribs. It is a comparatively easy matter to preserve both the skin and skeleton of any good-sized snake by exercising a little patience. Do not try to skin through the mouth, but make a long cut on the I40 THE MUSEUM. Scalaria pretiosa, Linn. — from China. Pure white, having many whorls; ornamented with Ribs. under side and skin either way from it. Coil up the skeleton and it will make a very compact bundle. CROCODILES. The breast- bone of crocodiles ex- tends the entire length of the body, and although the hinder portion of it is not attached to the backbone, yet great care is necessary in disembowl- ing not to cut away any of the slender bones of which it is formed. There are also cartilaginous projec- tions on the ribs which should not be sliced off in roughing them out. FISHES. Fishes vary so much in their struc- ture that it is a difficult matter to give any directions for preparing their skeletons that would be of much ser- vice. Almost invariably there are two rows of ribs present, and these extend backward for some distance. Proceed slowly and carefully, as the edge of the scalpel will often give notice of some unsuspected bone. Be especially careful about the head. There is a chain of bones encircling the eye, and the eyeball itself is often a bony cup. Occasionally there are two or three- bones attached to the back part of the hinder portion of the head, and the patch of f\e^\\ on the cheek is about all that can be safely removed. Wash thoroughly, and when the skeleton is hnng up to dry place bits • of wood or other material between the gills so that the air may circulate free- ly and dry them rapidly. PACKING. First be sure that a skeleton, and especially a small one is thoroughly dry. Otherwise it is apt to "sweat" and rot the ligaments. In case of a large skeleton this would do no harm, but as the bones of small animals are left attached to one another by their ligaments and are not wired together, any such sep- aration causes serious injury. If the specimen is the size of a deer, it will be necessary to disjoint the backbone just behind the ribs in order to make a compact bundle. A moose or bnffalo can be cut still more by separating the leg bones at each joint and making several sections of the backbone. Occasionally it is necessary to re- duce a skeleton to its smallest possi- ble dimensions, and then, in addition to the above measures, the breastbone must be separated from the ribs by cutting through the cartilage yz/.v/ bc- loio (he Old of each rib. The ribs can then be detached from the back- bone, and thus dismantled a good- sized skeleton can be packed in a flour barrel. Barrels, by the way, are very good for packing purposes. Boxes should be tight, so as to shut out hungry dogs, and prevent entirely the attacks of rats and mice. I have THE MUSEUM. 141 Small skeletons should on no ac- count be salted, nor should large ones be boiled to remove the flesh. Echnarachnius parma, Lam. Sand Dollar, The common species ranging from Maryland to Labrador, corftmon in Maine, Massachusetts, etc. frequently seen valuable skeletons ruined in a single night by the ravages of one or two rats. Care should also be taken not to leave boxes open over night while be- ing packed, lest mice should make a nest in the packing material and be shut up with the specimens. Straw or hay is the best packing material, but Spanish moss, shavings, •'excelsior," or Cfjcoa fiber will do. Usually but little is needed, the main point being to prevent the skeletons or loose bones from rattling about to the inevitable damage of the weaker portions. Beware of sea-weed. No matter how dry it appears to be, it contains so much salt as to become wet when exposed to a moist atmosphere. Never put alum on a skeleton nor soak any bones in a bath containing alum. In hot, moist climates it is occasion- ally allowable to sprinkle a little salt on the bones of a large animal in or- der to keep the flesh from putrefying . instead of drying up. An Ancient Lake. To him who is intent upon making a Mineralogical collection which shall be conspicuous by the beauty of its specimens, regardless of scientific val- ue, Vermont, though by no means barren, possesses no extraordinary in- terest. But to him who is intent upon investigating the mysteries of surface geology, especially if he chance to be studying the phenomenon known as the vertical motion of the earth, no locality, east of the Rocky Mountains, will have a greater interest. Nowhere in the United States can the results of this phenomenon be more clearly trac- ed, than among the Green Mountains. After the erection of the Green Mountains, and the formation of that part of the country now known as New England, but before the Drift Period, the whole country slowly settled be- neath the surface of the ocean until only the highest peaks of the White Mountains were visible. The highest, peaks of the Green Mountains, some of which now have an elevation of more than four thousand feet, and which, before the depression began, had an elevation, at least as high, and possibly much higher, were covered by more than a thousand feet of water. Striae and wave- lines on the White Mountains show the height to which the water reached, and a comparison of altitudes shows the depth of the water over other localities. During this period of submersion, oceanic life flourished in the heart of New England. Hundreds of varieties 142 THE MUSEUM. Diplothecanthus rosaceus, Gray. "Sea Bis- cuit," Bahamas. A curious species, after Style of the large "Sea Beavers." of marine shells have been found. In some localities certain kinds are found in immense numbers. In a few places fossil sponges have been discovered, and once, in Charlotte, the skeleton of an extinct species of whale was found some eight or ten feet below the surface of the earth. Another was found near Montreal; this one was carried to London, while the former is now in the museum of the State House at Montpelier. At length the same forces, which caused the submergence of the conti- nent, began to act in an opposite direc- tion, and, as a result, the continent be- gan to rise, and after the lapse of an indeterminable space of time, it attain- ed its present elevation. The changes which took place during this period of alternate depression and elevation, most of which resulted from fractures caused by unequal pressure of the up- lifting force, form one of the most in- teresting, as well as intricate features of surface geology. Before the submergence, the various mountain ranges which form the Green Mountain system, stretched in unbrok- en masses throughout their whole ex- tent. The Winooski, the Sawoille and the Missisco rivers, which now rise east of the principal ranges and flow westerly through great chasms in the mountains, which have been cleft in their very base, had in those days no existence. The same is true of the St. Francis river, which now drains Lake Memphremagog into the St. Lawrence river. A large lake occupied the cen- tral portion of what is now Washing- ton county; another lake, very deep but of smaller dimensions, covered what is now the town of Hardwick. All this and much more is learned by a study of the terraces which formed the banks of the ancient lakes and rivers, and corroborated by an examination of wave-lines upon the mountain sides. Now, Lake Memphremagog has an elevation of six-hundred and eighty- five feet above the ocean level. It has an area of seventy-five square miles, and by means of St. Francis river, it is drained northerly into the St. I^aw- rence river. Then, a mountain spur, jutting off from the easterly range of the Green Mountain system, extended westerly, across the valley of the St. Francis river in Canada, and formed a barrier which raised the waters of the lake to a height of five hundred and eighty feet above its present level, and caused it to expand over an area of more than three thousand scjuare miles. Black river is a small, sluggish, uninteresting stream, flowing north and THE MUSEUM. I43-- einptying into Lake Memphremagog. Then, it flowed south, a mighty stream, more than a mile wide, and more than three hundred feet deep. So far as is known, it was the largest, though not the longest river in that old world. It occupied the same valley that Black river now occupies, and, extending south to the old lake at Harkwick, con- nected the two lakes and formed the outlet of Lake Memphremagog. Emer- ging, in two large streams, from the southern extremity of the Hardwick lake, it continued its southerly course, until it became lost in the larger lake in the central part of Washington county. One of these connecting streams bore a little to the east, and followed the valley now occupied by Kingsbury branch, through the towns of Woodbury and Calais. The other, bearing a little to the west, passed through the towns of Elmore and a part of Worcester, following the course of what is now known as the Eagle Ledge valley in which a small stream now flows. Emerging from this lake, the stream continued its southerly course, through the towns of Williamsport, Brookfield, and Randolph, when it entered the valley now occupied by the White riv- er, in which it continued until it joined the Connecticut river. During the period of submergence, it seems that the force was exerted so evenly upon all parts of the continent, that it sank without a fracture. The same may be said to be true during the period of emergence until the continent had reached a height nearly equal to its present elevation. Then, for some cause, the force slightly decreased in the northern parts of the state. The cohesion of the rocks which formed the mountains was not sufficient to with- stand the unequal pressure. They broke in four separate places, and deep, transverse chasms were formed, which extended to the level of the surround- ing country. Beginning at the south, the first fracture, (first in geographical order, for they were simultaneous in point of time,) formed the valley in which the Winooski river now flows, and chain- ed the most southerly lake. The sec- ond, formed the valley of the Samoille river, and chained the Hardwick lake. The third forme J the Missisco valley, but had no effect upon the lake. The fourth fracture broke down the barrier across the St. Francis river, and chain- ed Lake Memphremagog nearly to its present level. Four times since, have the mountains broken, slightly deepen- ing the chasms, and the river beds, and each time forming a terrace which plainly tells the story. In the central part of Washington county, may also be seen indications of a much smaller lake which existed at a lat- er period, and at a much lower level. Indications of this lake are much more plain than those of the ancient lake, ■ and without some mention might con- fuse or mislead the observer. This lake, however was entirely distinct, and was caused by an ice-gorge form- ing in one of the chasms in the moun- tains through which the Winooski river finds its way. Doubtless it continued in existence for many centuries and was finally drained by the melting of the icy barrier which formed it. In a future paper this lake will be more fully described. C. O. Ormsbee, Montpelier, Vt,. 144 THE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUiM A Monthly Magazine devoted to Ornithology, Oology, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Mineralogy and Allied Sciences. Walter F. Webb, Editor and Pub'r, Albion, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest on above top- ics, as well as notes on the varimis Museums of the World— views from snme, discoveries relvitive to the handling and Keeping of Natural History material, descriptive habits of various species, are solicited from all. Make articles as brief as possiblf> and as free from technical terms as the subjects will allow. All letters will be promptly auswered. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Single Subscription $1.(X) per annum Sample Copies 10c each ADVERTISING RATES Twelve 5 cents per Nonpareil line each insertion, lines to the inch. No discounts. Cash must accompany all f)rdei'S. Remittances should be made by Draft, ICxpress or Post Office Order or Registered Letter. Unused U. S. Postage Stamps of any denouination accepted for small amounts. The if l.(XJ Columbian stamps, unused, will be accepted at rate Cf Si. 75 ea^h. WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, ORLEANS CO., N. Y. NOTES. Look out for the Great-horned Owls this month. Now is the time to ' 'cor- ral" their eggs. Reports are coming in from various parts of the country, of Evening Gros- beaks being taken in quantity during the past winter. Some new arrivals in bird skins, the past month, are Long-crested, Wood- house, and Pinon Jays, American Mag- pies, Dusky Grouse, Sage Hens, < ir. If some of our readers are of an ar- tistic turn of mind, we would invite them to submit to the editor a design of a cover for The Museum. By this time you will have seen something of its scope, which should be to some ex- tent delineated in the design. Use white paper, and pen or India ink — latter preferable. To all who compete, we will send, gratis, a fine leather bound copy of the O. and O. Maiuial\ and if any should be found available we will give a due bill good for $5.00 worth of anything we advertise. We trust this will be sufficient incentive for many to put forth their best efforts. We wish to call the attention of ev- ery reader, to our new Ornithologists' and Oologists' Manual. This is now all finished and ready to mail. It has been made convenient to carry in the 'pocket and handy for quick reference. The prices are standard in every de- tail, and will be found to be up to date in every way — combining, as it does, the prices of Eggs, Bird and Mammal Skins, approximate number of eggs laid by every family of N. A. Birds, how to skin and prepare all Bird and Mammal skins, how to prepare Eggs tind Nests, prices of Heads, mounting all kinds of iSirds and Mammals, large and complete lists of Tools, Books, etc., making a volume of 100 pages, at the nominal price of 25 cents, or 50 cents boutid in red llexible leather, round corners, etc., it makes a work no collecior can afford to be without. Various schemes have been started in the past for a manual of this character, the orifiinators usually soliciting the price of the work and after getting same, publish it or not, as they see fit. We have not adopted this method, but at a large expense, ha\'e gotten the matL-rial together and published it, not soliciting or a hertising it for sale until ready to mail, but now offer a manual to our su*>scribcrs, or anyone that de- siies it, aiid can fill tluir order the same day as received. Glad to hear from \(>n nil THE MUSEUM. MS Brissus ventricosus, Ltk. Black Sea Beaver. Covered with small short spines, but more frequently the spines are removed before offered for sale. The Rodents of Michigan. By Morris Gibbs. The following catalogue is the result of observations extending over a great many years. The notes are mainly my own, but the assistance of observing friends has been received. The gnawing mammals comprise the largest group in the division; and while a few of the species are selected for food, and no doubt, several others would prove worthy of our attention, the majority are to be considered as pests. It is to be doubted, if, aside from their worth as food products, and the value of a few as fur producers, we are benefited by their existence, while we know, that to the agriculturist and horticulturist they are a perpetual nuis- ance. This list, though referring to Michi- gan species, may be of interest to all, as it practically embraces the mam- mals of the Great Lake Region. 146 THE MUSEUM. Northern Hare. Leptis aincricanus, Erxl. Not common and never has been to my knowledge. I have never taken it. Occasionally shot in the extreme western part of this state and ranging north. Called white jack by some hunters. Gray Rabbit; Cotton Tail. Lcpiis sylvaticiis, Bach, Very abundant until about ten years ago. About twelve years ago the in- troduction of the ferret, used them up and within a few years they became very scarce. A very interesting spec- ies. The young are raised in little forms, in grass and leaves, and above ground, as far as my observations go. However, in cold weather, burrows of woodchucks, skunk, and brush piles are frequented by them. The com- mon wild__^rabbit is excellent eating. Canada Porcupine. Eretliir:on dorsatus, L. Often, and improperly called hedge- hog. The porcupine is a well distri- buted mammal in Michigan being found from our southern tier of coun- ties, to our extreme northern limits; but is now scarce south of the 43rd parallel, and is abundant north of the 45th degree. This animal is a great climber, and is often found in the tops of tall trees, where it feeds on the foliage. In truth it spends much of its time well up from the ground. It produces two young to my knowledge, and these little fel- lows will defend themselves with their spines much after the manner of the old ones. I have met with young less than fourth si/e who were provided with spines. The flesh of the porcupine is rank and greasy, and attempts to cook and eat it are always failures, excepting- with hungry Indians. Jumping Mouse. Zap lis hiidsonciiis, L. Irregularly distributed and not gen- erally known. Occasionally met with, and generally in low sections, and usually in forests or the edges of swamps. This little mouse may be easily identified by its remarkably long tail and hind legs. Notwithstanding its power to escape by jumping it is not rarely caught with the hands when scared from the nest. MUSKRAT. Fiber ::ibcthicus, L. This interesting mammal, called musquash by the Indians, and water rat is well distributed throughout the country. Nests here largely in bur- rows along the banks of running water and also in the banks of small ponds and marshes and lakes. Many of the typical nests are to be seen on the large lakes around the edge, antl in shallow lily pad ponds. I have ob- served their habits, more of late years, along little brooks while fishing for trout. The muskrats often showed themselves, and played in plain sight before observing me. I wish that I might occupy space for an extended article on their interesting habits. Am satisfied that more rats, ten times over, occupy habitations along the banks of rivers, and smaller streams, than build houses in marshes and ponds. The musquash has man}' enemies be- sides man, and his depredations are, or rather, have been verv extensive until THE MUSEUM. 147 lately. The reduction in prices has caused a great cessation in the amount of trapping. The mink is an enemy of the muskrat, as I once observed in a sanginuary battle in which the mink was victorous through its activity and sharp teeth. Snakes devour the young especially the large water snake, Xat- rix sipcdoii, L. I have taken young muskrats from the nest, They are born with their eyes shut, and are able to swim in July, or a little earlier. They do not grow rapidly. Lemming Mouse. Synaptomys coopcri, Baird. A rare species in Michigan, but few specimens have been secured. Short-tailed Meadow Mouse. Arvicola aiis terns. Some claim this species is common in Michigan. Others claim it is rare. The truth is there are very few ob- servers qualified to distinguish between our species. Meadow Mouse. Arvicola peujisylvanicus, Ord. Abundant. Usually found about swamps, marshes and low meadows. Never observed on high or sandy soil, that I am aware of. A peculiar, in- teresting species, seen bobbing in and out of holes, bushes and bunches of weeds; with such rapidity that it makes one feel uncertain, occasionally, whether it is a snake, lizard, mouse or shadow. Lives in small burrows us- ually in the ground, but often in dead stumps or hollows and sometimes un- der logs. In early spring when the snow still partially covers the ground or has just disappeared, small nests made of grass are occupied by these lirtle fellows. This is a good season to secure specimens. The nest should first be struck smartly with a light board or shingle, and then one may tear open the nest when their chances are about one to four that a stupefied mouse is found. I have never taken more than one in a nest. It seems odd, yet pleasant to contemplate, that although the outside of the nest may be covered with snow, or worse, mud and slush, yet within, the occupier re- clines in a warm, dry cavity, filled with carefully arranged grass blades, and perhaps a few broken leaves. Black Rat. Mus rattits, L. A cosmopolitan species introduced from the old world. Very rare here now, or more probably extinct, as it is killed off by the next species. Brown Rat; Norway Rat. Mus deaimamis, Pallas. Abundant, cosmopolitan, and like next, too well known to require notes. Common House Mouse. Miis luuscnlus, L. An ubiquitous pest. Deer Mouse. Caloniys aincricaniis, Kerr. Also called White-footed Mouse. Often observed, from harvest, on through the autumn months. October last finishes its appearance with us generally. It builds beautiful little nests, both on the ground and in the bushes, from three to ten feet or more from the ground. One often sees the little grassy nests in the bushes in win- ter but I have never been able to shake mousie out at that season. He must burrow in winter. Still they do not 148 THE MUSEUM. always hibernate for an individual is occasionally seen about tlie barns, sheds and stacks in January and Feb- ruary. A peculiarity of this species, appar- ently not observed in any other species of mouse, is the great care it takes for its young, and their corresponding at- tachment for the mother. It has been repeatedly seen, that frequently, when the female is ousted from her nest, or disturbed, that she will run, making quite long jumpe, with from two to four young ones hanging to her teats, and with such tenacity, that they never once loosened their hold. I have had the pleasure of seeing this remarkable performance once, but have several records from my trusty, observing friends. Prairie Mouse. Calouiys michigancnsis, Aud. and Bach A rare species in most sections, and not generally known to collectors in our state, and surely confounded with the last species by some observers. Harvest Mouse. Rcith ro do u li it m His . Embraced in the observations of but one authority. Certainly rare. Beaver. Castor fiber, L. From recent correspondence I have learned that this valuable fur-bearing mammal stih thrives in the Upper Pen- insula, and is said to be increasing in certain sections; which if true, is due to the fact that they are not trapped as persistently as formerly, from the smaller prices which the pelts bring. Still it is only a question of time when the beaver will be ranked as an extinct species in Michigan. One friend writes miC that he buyi? some skins each year. They are still found in small colonies in Lower Mich- igan north of the 45th parellel. Ground Hog; Woodchuck. Arctomys iiionax, L. Too abundant by half to suit the farmers. A rapid burrower. Gener- ally has three entrances to its subter- ranean abode, often only two passages and occasionally four. Feeds largely on clover during summer, and its bur- rows may oftener be found near clover fields, or in them, than anywhere else on the farms. Changes its habitation oiten, as a rule. I think as often as 0( ce a year. Frequently wanders to quite a -distance, when, if seen, may be easily dispatched, as though crafty, the ground hog is not a runner. So anx- ious is he for iiis safety when away from the entrancs to his hole, that he frequently commits himself, by making one aware of his presence. Instead of keeping quiet or sneaking in an oppos- ite direction, he is often fool enough to start on a straight line for some hole, often thereby passing much nearer to an enemy. If attacked he will show considerable fight, and fairly hisses in his iierceness. I overtook one one day, when he mounted a stump, and apparently defied me . On drawing near, he made quite a spring for so lazy an animal, and came near nipping mc. The}' can use their large incisor teeth with great effect, and the dog which attacks a woodchuck, must have care unless lie understands lighting them. The woodchuck occasionally climbs a tree, and may go as high as thirty feet from the ground. I have observed one all of twenty feet up. They THE MUSEUM. 149 usually occupy the first limb of the tree and appear to en- joy the strange position. While in this position I think they go to sleep, at least some times, from the fact that I once approached one from a distance across an open field, that made no at- tempt to escape, although his hole was easily accessible. The first time I ever saw one in a tree I did not know what to make of it. I could only see its fur and an eye, as it was rolled into a ball. It looked to me more like a monkey than anything else. I have never seen one climb a tree but I have observed one descend, and nothing- can exceed the gortesque movements of the animal. A third of the time it is moving sideways, then again tail first like a bear, and occasionally nearly head first; never fully so though, then as it neared the ground it rolled itself into a heap and tumbled down. The nest or burrows are often found in deep woods, but never in any low ground. The animal appears to des- pise water and I have seen burrows where there was no chance to get wat- er short of a mile unless going to the farmer's well. Some one has attempt- ed to show that the prairie dog digs wells for itself, il so, then why not the woodchuck; but I can assure }ou that there are many woodchucks in Ophtemo township of this state and that there is no running, or lake water to be had within a mile, and as to dig- ging wells for themselves, why the farmers have to dig ninety feet. My theor}' about the prairie dog se- uring drink is similiar to the ground hog's habit. The opinion is this: The ground hog feeds largely at night, as does the marmot, and as dews often tall heavily the animals are supplied, as sheep often obtain their drink for weeks at a stretch. The ground hog is considered a har- binger of spring, either for good or bad, and an eariy spring depends on his see- ing his shadow or not. If he sees his shadow on Februar}' second then the sun shone, and he returns to his bur- row and will not reappear for two months. I do not think the wood- chuck appears outside of his burrow one season out of ten before February twentieth, and then the season must be very early. When he issues at an early date it is for the purpose of seek- ing his mate, and not to cause specu- lation upon the weather among the ig- norant. Strii^ped Pkairie Squirrel; Gopher. Spcnuophihis tridcccmlincatus, Mitch. A common burrowing rodent. More often found on sandy and sandy clay soil. Not as often on low lands. I cannot see that the name prairie is particularly applicable as I have found it more numerous when white oak woods have been cleared rather than on prairies. Lives entirely in bur- rows. It is a pestiferous little creat- ure to the fanner. I have no doubt it necessarily feeds on roots and grasses, and from necessity destroys corn, wheat and oat roots. Has a peculiar cry, quite odd, by which it may be detected at some distance. The >oung are nearly full grown at harvest time, and nests full of both old and young may be drowned out to the amusement of small boys and dogs. Gray Spermophile. Spcrmopliihis fronk/inii, Sabine. One specimen taken in our state, in ISO THE MUSEUM. Oakland County, by Mr. J. W. An- derson. It is a rare species, but as it is also found in Indiana it is probable that its range will be extended. Chipmunk; Ground Scjuikrel. T a mi as striatiis, L. An abundant woodland species, building it nest in the ground, old dead logs and stumps, and sometimes as much as fifty feet from the ground in a suitable hollow. Occasionally forms nests of leaves and grass in bushes, sometimes as much as fifteen feet from the ground. This little fellow, the smallest of our squirrels, hyber- nates thoroughly, although always supplying himself with a good seasons Slock of provisions. From under a log occupied by a chipmunk, I once took a half bushel of butternuts, and it is a common occurrence also to find walnuts, hickory nuts as well as great quantities of acorns. It would seem from this, that the little fellows evi- dently supply this larder with a view of occasionally waking up from their long winter nap and taking some re- freshments. The pleasing little chatterers are rarely seen from the last sunny days of November until March. One finds tiny tracks in the woods when the snow becomes a little soft in late February or early March indicating that the sleepers have waked up for a little recreation or per- haps with a view to foraging as the provision in store may be running low. We do not hear the cheerful, chirping notes, however, until the snow is about gone, and it is during the reign of the violets and buttercups that the chipmunks seem happiest. Red Souirrel; Chickaree. Sciiirus luidso/iiiis, Erxl. A well distributed species, found in all kinds of wooded lands and around villages and farms. More fond of heavy timber and low land than of oak openings. Our most common species. This squirrel is encouraged to stay among us, and from the fact that it is rarely shot, being too small for the table, has become quite familiar. It often builds its nest, and for aught I know rears young in garrets, cellars, barns and sheds. A pleasing and ac- tive fellow. I have seen a red squirrel chase the black one which fled in ter- ror, and dared not again mount the tree occupied by the valient little chickaree. The squirrel hybernates like the others. It builds nests of leaves within hollows generally but sometimes exposed to wind and weather. Northern Grey Squirrel. Schirus caroliiiensis Icucotis, Copper. Black or Gray Squirrel. In Kala- mazoo County, as well as throughout the state, we have no gray squirrels to speak of. The black variety is found however in numbers some sea- sons. I have never seen more than ten grays taken in a season in my loc- ality. A more gregarious species, if I may use the term, than the last. It is also given to migration at times. We have had no great squirrel seasons in about fourteen years. This squir- rel does not always build its nest in hollows. Occasionally forms a nest of leaves among the branches in the tall trees. Have shot individuals from their nests, and secured them as they fell wounded to the ground. THE MUSEUM. 151 Fox Squirrel. Sciiirus iiigcr hido?-tciamcs, Allen. Formerly a very abundant species but since the time when every boy •over 12 years old, has a gun. they 'have become scarce, as has all the other game, furred or feathered. This squirrel does not imigrate. as ■do the black and gray squirrels, I think. But they have been gradually ikilled off, until very few remain, and it is difficult to secure a brace in a ■day's hunt, the chances being even against that score in my locality. Rarely occupy nests; more often hol- lows in trees. It is not an easy mat- ter to overtake, and get a shot at one of these big fellows. I have observed one more than once leaping from one tree to another in heavy timbered lands, or among oak woods filled in by second growth. To load your gun, run among the trees, dodging about, with the necessity of keeping one's €yes constantly on the squirrel is a very difficult matter. One shoots too soon and the squirrel goes on, and while one is reloading the old sly fel- low has gained a good lead again, and the first you know disappears in a hol- low limb, when the hunt is up for that ■day. The fox squirrel is very tough and should not be fired at unless one is within four or five rods. To shoot at six rods or over is nonesense for even if the squirrel is badly peppered the shot only go just beneath the skin, and if his lungs are almost torn to pieces, he will often reach his hole. I have seen one fall sixty feet, get up and climb a tree to escape. The rifle is the best means of success, if one can catch foxy napping, when a well directed bullet finishes the business. A peculiar specimen now in my col- lection, stuffed in 1873, is oddly marked. It is a perfect fox squirrel in form, but gives evidence of being a hybrid. It is a fox squirrel in color above, and sides, as well as tail, top of head and outsides of legs. Its un- der parts, however, are black, as well as the chin, throat, belly, breast, and inside of legs. It is a peculiarly marked fox squirrel or else a hybrid with the black. Flying Squirrel. Sciiiropterus volans, L, A very interesting species. A resi- dent, but rarely seen before late March or after late October. A hybernating species like the other squirrels. I have met with them several times and have found the young once when very small and still with their eyes closed. The young were so covered with pul- verized dry bark, moss and fur pick- ings that they were hardly detected in the cavity. Nearly always found on elevated land, but quite often in low and timbered land. The nests are al- most invariably placed near water, either a lake or small stream. Three or four young appears to be a litter. Once found a nest containing three old ones, a common occurrence at some seasons of the year, but never in the spring. This was in December. The young are born in the spring, usually late April, through May, and sometimes in June. The small ones, looking, without hair, like the peculiar extinct ptcrodiictylc, with its fleshy membrane reaching from fore to hind legs. A very interesting species, and often tamed when it becomes a pleas- ing pet, but usually escapes. 152 THE MUSEUM. Northern Flying Squirrel. Sciuroptents volans sabriniis. One specimen secured in the Upper Peninsula by Oscar B. Warren, Mar- quette Co., 1894. Further Notes on Antrostomus Vociferous Whip-poor-will. J. H. BOWLES. Though ably treated by a Michigan correspondent in the November num- ber of the "Museum" it is possible that the habits of this bird in its most eastern haunts may afford some inte- rest to the uninitiated. That the habits of the eastern bird differ great- ly from those of the western I hope to show by giving my own and my brother's experience. The Whip-poor-will arrives in east- ern Massachusetts usually about the first of May, but on April 25, 1893, I was surprised to hear one in its favo- rite haunt. I have further reason to remember this date, as at the time I was up an oak tree peering into a hole in which a Screech Owl {Mcgascops asio) had set up house keeping. Now as to the locality where the nest, or set of eggs, is to be found: In Michigan it is "in a forest," while in Massachusetts I have never seen the eggs in large woods, though I con- fess to having met with only five sets. All of these were on high ground in young oak and chestnut woods, one being in a patch of "scrub" chestnuts of from si.x to ten feet in height. All were on the edge of clearings, and all but one within a few yards of much travelled wood and main roads. The spot on which the eggs are laid seems to be essentially the same as that of the western bird, though, in a nest of which I have before me, the eggs were placed on a tuft of dead grass still rooted in the ground. I also am of the opinion that the leaves and ground are never disturbed in order to form any semblance of a nest. The set is here usually completed in the third week of May, though oc- casionally fresh eggs are found in early June. If robbed of its first laying, which I have always found to consist of two eggs, a third egg is sometimes laid in the immediate vicinity (of this second set, more anon.) I can add nothing to the excellent discription given on the color and shape of the eggs, except that one Q^;g is some- time larger than the other, but give the extremes of a series of eggs in my collection. 1.23 x. 85, 1.15X. 78 in- ches. All of my sets were found by my dog flushing the bird, and, when nec- essary, leading me to the eggs. This is a very certain method of hunting nests, though some time and patience is needed in training the dog who must also be taught to think &n egg a combination of white lead, strychnine and cayenne pepper. The actions of the birds when flush- ed from their eggs, are variable. some- times they fly silently out of sight, while at others they will be crippled to a distressing extent. Away from the nest, however, we easterners con- sider the Whip-poor-will among our most sociable bird acquaintances. In the summ.er a pair of them, having each year a nest not two hundred yards from my place, came into my avenue every evening and hopped about on the ash walk (not forty feet from the house and the barn) where they seemed to And an abundance of food.. THE MUSEUM. 153 I think they also eat the bits of coal in order to aid digestion, My family and I have frequently stood within twenty feet of them, while they fed as unconcernedly as if no one were near. When through feeding they fly back to their nest, but in a short time the male returns and lighting in a heavy woodbine that hangs on the front of the house, fully repays me for the coal he and his spouse have taken, by sing- ing his best for half an hour. By ten o'clock he takes his leave, to return at exactly four o'clock the next morning. Then he gives another half hour's solo which is not always so welcome as the evening one. A sound like "chuck" is always thrown in between every "Whip-poor-will," but it cannot be heard at a greater distance than a few yards. I should have sent this article soon- er, but, disliking to give a time-worn fact (as I feared it might be) to sci- ence, have waited until now before giving an answer to the question, "How do Goat-suckers carry their young and eggs.-*" Several years ago I flushed a Whip-poor-will that rose with a baby bird clutched firmly bc- tivcen licr thighs. Careful examina- tion of the ground disclosed three- quarters of an egg shell which, being moist, showed that it had been re- cently hatched. This does not neces- sarily disprove the gape theory, as she may have had another young one or Ggg in her mouth to preserve the equi- librium, but I doubt it as this was a second set. Returning a week later I again flushed the old bird from her young one at a short distance from the first place. He was then well grown, so thinking that affairs might take an interesting turn, I sat down and watched at a short distance. The mother bird did all in her power to induce the little one to move away. She went up to it and then withdrew a few inches, then shoved it away from me with her breast, in exactly the same way I have seen the English Sparrow do. But it was useless, for the youngster, having arrived at the well-known age of knowing more than his parents, thought I was perfectly harmless and so would not budge. For once he was right. How to Interest People in The Microscope It may be that some of our readers have been discouraged in attempts to interest their friends in what is won- derfully beautiful to themselves, and I presume not a few have felt a wave of disgust pass through their souls as the friend, earnestly trying to seem appre- ciative, and feeling a necessity to liken the vision to some known object, has remarked its close similarity to a meet- ing-house, a bit of lace, a strainer, a pine tree, or a dog's tail. It is a fact to be borne in mind, amid these and kindred trials, that the eye must be trained before it sees correctly, and this is particulary true in the present case. The skillful microscopist is in danger of forgetting his own difficulties with his eyelashes the first time he looked through the tube upon the brilli- ant background and saw something glistening in the light. We do not or- dinarly hold what we are looking at against the light, and this is one reason why a new observer is so dazed when he looks into the microscope. With all due regard to the good judgment «54 THE MUSEUM. and common sense of one who fails to interest his friends in the microscope, let me say the failure is generally due to either a wrong choice of objects, or of the time selected to display them. Of course a novice with five minutes to catch a train, will not give much intelli- gent notice to a slide showing division of nucleus in the hair of Tradescantia, but he might take one glance at a flower seed, and remember while on the train how prettily Nature has wrap- ped up the embryo poppy. Then there is another thought con- cerning the introduction or preface to the display. We all know that one who has heard of anything highly praised in advance, rarely deems it worthy of so great praise when he sees it. It makes little difference whether it be a landscape, a work of art, or a microscopical slide. The one explor- ing should have the right of making his own discoveries of beauty, and rejoic- ing in them in his own way, however unconventional. If he likens the ob- ject to some incongrous thing — his case is not hopeless. Every one of us may be placed in a position where we can- not speak the proper language used by those at home in it. Therefore explain all that is needed, and then wait, and cordially welcome the expression of wonder or pleasure, and your reward shall be that you have won the interest of your friend. There must be judgement exercised in the selection of objects. This will involve considerations of the age, in- formation, and tastes of the one you wish to please, as well as the length of time advisable to be taken. Often a single object well shown is better than more — because it leaves a perfectly clear picture in the mind that is in- structive to recall. Keep closely to- the simple things that are easily under- stood and have no complicated struc- ture. There should be nothing to shock or disturb the observer, so you must be considerate of his natural prejudices, and however much you may enjoy the dissection of worms or the comparison of cheese mites with sugar mites, or abnormal tissue with normal — be sure the average spectator will shrink from the sight and feel uneasy over the next meal. (I would like to say all I think of the evil done by blundering people in this line.) Confine yourself to low powers until' your friend has mastered the matters of focus and moving the object on the stage — and then use high powers spar- ingly. Remember that the greater magnification is obtained at the sacri- fice of a larger field, and that it is al- ways best to show as much general re- lation between the parts of the object as is possible. Children are fond of looking at small insects, wings, feathers, seeds, moss, sand, etc. , and it is quite safe to ex- pect that the older people will enjoy them as well. With adults, however, this difference will be noticed, more attention can be given to the details, and particularly to the adaptation of parts to the use for which they are made. Also the maturer mind will take pleasure in observing the similar- ties or differences between two or more closely allied objects. Generally speaking, a lady will be- interested in botanical subjects — pol- len, sections of leaves or stems with their various forms of cells and their THE MUSEUM. 155 contents, but it is the man who will give the sections of wood the closest attention. If your friend is aged, be considerate of the eyes that have passed their prime, but never allow him to feel that he cannot enjoy the pleasures the others are receiving. Put on the stage an object that has both thickness and color, as cystals of bichromate of potassium, or sand — -or a flea — -something that will not be dif- ficult to get a focus that will show sat- isfactory even if it be not the best. Encourage him to remove his glasses and take time to adjust the focus to suit his eye, and the sincere delight which he will show when he finds that he can see as well as the others, will make you patient when the next one declares that it is no use in his trying to see. Do not forget the children of the poor — or the very ingorant. A simple thing which I never knew to fail to draw attention is a fine handkerchief placed over the stage — and having caught their interest it is easy to go on, and one can never know but it may be an incentive to some waif to struggle up into greater knowledge and light. I believe we may interest people in the microscope — not our own facts, it may be — but in something that shall give them instruction and pleasure, if we will but give it sufficient thought. By Miss Ella M. Drury, Boston, Mass., /// Practical Microscopv- The EscuJent Swallow. At the present time, when the eyes of all nations are turned towards the Orient, anything related to the Chinese people or their customs becomes in- vested with a peculiar interest. So when we read that they regard a pud- ding or a soup which is made of a swallow's nest, as the greatest possi- ble delicacy, we are inclined to think that they must have a very perverted taste. And so they have, judging from our point of view, or from the infor- mation we can gain by an examination of the nest of any American species of swallow. But, when we investigate the habits of the peculiar species which builds the nest which they eat and learn the manner of preparation, our wonder diminishes, and those Ameri- cans who have tasted the delicacy in- form us that they are justified in their fondness for it. The Esculent Swallow, Hiruiida csculciita, seldom has a representative in the collections of American natura- lists. It is a small bird, scarcely larg- er than a wren, though the spread of its wings, and the length of its tail, gives a much larger appearance. It a- bounds near the coast of many of the islands of the East Indies but more es- pecially of Java. The southeastern coast of this island consists, for upwards of one hundred miles, of a perpendicu- lar precipice several hundred feet high, against which the waves beat with al- most incredible force. Into the face of the precipice, deep caverns and crevices have been worn, and it is here that these birds congregate in immense numbers, not merely as a breeding- place, but as a place of permanent abode. They build their nests in the fissures of the precipices, and in such inaccess- ible places, that, although they are often in plain view, man, with all his skill, and stimulated by an almost fabulous value of the nests, is able to reach but a small percentage of them; not enough to diminish the number of birds in the least. ^56 THE MUSEUM. Most of our American Swallows have the faculty of making their nests of mud adhere firmly to a perpendicular sur- face; but this faculty seems to be wanting in the Esculent Swallow. It must have a projecting shelf for its 'nest to rest upon; and as the precipice does not afford satisfactory locations, it proceeds to build one for itself. In the back part of the bird's mouth, near the root of its tongue, are located two large glands. Some anatomists say that they are identical with the sal- ivary glands and others that they are distinct; but be that as it may, their function is to secrete a thick, viscid, substance much resembling a concen- trated solution of gum arabic. It has the property of quickly hardening when exposed to the air, and it then presents the appearance of a piece of transpar- ent white horn. Professor Troschel, of Brown University, made a careful chemical analysis of a large number of samples, and found it to differ but slightly from saliva. When the bird wishes to build its nest, it hovers for an intsant, directly in front of the selected location; then darting suddenly forward, it presses a drop of this substance against the wall. This operation is repeated from twenty to thirty times, or, until the supply is exhausted. Then its mate does the same. A few deft touches in arranging, and the work is completed for one day. The following day the process is repeated and so on until a shelf has been built, large enough to support the nest, which is constructed of small sticks and pieces of sea-weed, cemented with mud. It is the shelf, and not the nest which furnishes the article of commerce. The nest with its contents is thrown into the sea. When the shelf is destroyed, the bird immediately begins to rebuild, but this time it cements bits of wood into it, so that it is of inferior quality. The third it uses more foreign substances, and the fourth time it incorporates such a large proportion of foreign sub- stances that the nest is worthless for commercial purposes. It is therefore not disturbed. The secretion also be- comes darker at each successive per- iod. When gathered, the nests, or rather the shelves, are carefully washed and sorted and all foreign bodies are re- moved. Then they are packed in small bags, made of woven bamboo fiber, and are ready for market. Nests of the first quality are sold for a sum equal to about thirty dollars a pound. The second quality brings half as much; and the third varies from ten dollars to almost nothing. The total sum ex- pended by China for these nests equals not far from a million and a half dol- lars, which represent the destruction of about three million nests. These figures, may perhaps, give some idea of the immense number of birds which flock to their favorite locations. Lincoln Park, Chicago, Nov. 24, 1894. Mr. Walter F. Webb. My dear Sir: — I must say that your first number was very line, and if you can keep it up you will have one of iheliuest publications in the countr,y. You have my liest wishes for its success. Very Truly Yours, Fkank C. Bakek. Secretary and Curator. FOR SALE. (Curiosity) A double- heach'd calf, mounted, true to nature, with two noses and four eyes. It is of a nice color, standing on a fine postament and worth $50. Best Casii oiler ImUi's it. Address, JOHN FRIESSKR, 2a4G Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111. ALLKiATORS stuffed, standing erect, or crawling, 10 to 12 inch, prepaid for 60c. Or- der at once. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. 157 ARTISTIC EMBALMING. Naturalists, Taxidermists and Amateur Collectors — Attention! It would be idle to represent the process of embalming to the collectors and first-class taxidermists of America, as just as good as skinning and mount- ing. Honesty forbids the assertion. To those who have long followed traditional methods of mounting, and have acquired proficiency, the advice is given, to follow the method which you have learned at the expense of time and labor. But, there are thousands of busy men and women, and boys and girls, who are desirous of learning a method of preserving and mounting birds, who have no opportunity, or who cannot afford the expense which is sure to follow. A suitable work on Taxidermy costs from $5.00 to $10.00, after purchas- ing which, a beginner has to lay in a supply of needed tools, at a cost, varying from $5.00 for the cheapest, consistent with good work, to $25.00. In addi- tion to which, there is the expense of other items, too numerous to mention. If instruction is received from competent teachers in the art of taxidermy, the cost will be from $10.00 to $50.00, and very often pupils fail to receive satisfaction, as all know. Testimonials are at hand, which show that some amateurs after attempt- ing old-time stuffing-, have successfully adopted cmbahniug, and followed the method for years. The process advertised, is embalming the head, neck, and body; the vis- cera being alone removed, and the cavity, neck and head being prepared with a chemical compound, and filled with suitable material to pose the bird and compensate for any slight shrinkage. The whole process is so easily learned from directions, and the practical advantages are so apparent, that it is surprising that the method has not soon- er come into general use. Information is occasionally received, that specimens smell badly but this is from poor preparation of the work, or from the use of an inferior compound, which has been sold by unscrupulous persons. The question may be asked: — Do not all newly prepared skins, mounted, or otherwise, smell.' They certainly do as it is impossible to secure a mounted specimen which is odorless. Mounted (embalmed) specimens can be shown which have been prepared over twenty years, and which are still perfect in forms and do not smell in the slightest degree. Hundreds of testimonials from amateurs, professors, doctors, lawyers, ministers, mothers of children, who were too young to write, have been receiv- ed, and all extolling this method. Many taxidermists, and one well-known curator of a leading college, have written, that the process admits of an adjust- ment of legs, wings and head, which no others of the many methods, permit. If you want a process of mounting birds, -w-'hicli is simple and easily- learned; If you want a process whicli does not require purchased tools, and much outside expense; if you want a process which you can quick- ly learn and never forget; If you want a process which does not take one-third of the time to mount a bird as is required by other methods; If you want a process at less than one-tenth the usual cost, and guar- teed to give better satisfaction— Then write for it. No tools required excepting a knife, file and wire, and embalming com- pound; which is sent in one pound packages, ready for use, together with print- ed directions for 75 cents. If more information is required, address with stamp. MORRIS GJBBS, M- D- KALAMAZOO, MICH- Mention the Museum. 158 THE MUSEUM. THE KOMBI CAMERA S3.50. Is a Combined Camera and Graplioscope. Makes a picture this size; Cir- square. round, or fancy sbape. Takes 25 pictures la one loading, snap 5liot or time exposure. The size oi the camera is iSaxS Indies. Weiifht. 4 oz. Carry in your pocket. All metal, silver- bronze finish. Any Boy or Girl can use it. Every instrument guaranteed. Inde- tructable. The Kombi complete, $3.50. ures). 20 cents extra. Cost ol developing roll ot film, 15 cents, tor each picture. ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FREE. lui .Sill.' ijy your dealer, the Kombi will be sent to any address, on receipt of price. ALFRED C. KEMPER, 208 Lake St., CHICAGO, ILL. strip ot film (25 expos- Cost for printing, l cent Arctic Horned Owls. We have a very limited number of freshly made skins of this rare Owl. at $6.00, in splendid condition. Also good skins of the following: Canadian Jay $ 75 Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker 56 Pine SisKia 25 Snowdake 25 White-winged Crossbill 35 Allen's Ptarmigan 2 00 Gray liuffed Grouse. .175 All the above birds are skinned, sexed and measured by ourselves, the skins are of the very best. OLIVER SPANNER & CO., 357 YongeSt., Toronto, Canada. Birds Eggs! Birds Eggs! . All First-class North American Specimens. .") varieties $ .2n 10 varieties SO l.'j varieties..- 7.5 SO varieties 1.00 2o varieties 1.2.5 J 30 varieties 1..50 J"^ 3.5 varieties 1.75 />N 40varieties 300 Vii/ 45 varieties 2.25 .5(J varieties 3.50 Send stamp for new catalogue. FRED. W. STACK, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. ^^^Send stamps or registerc-a letter with order. GILBERT BROS. & GRIFFIN, TAXIDERMISTS & NATURALISTS. Dealers in C;urios and Museum Supplies. Large Spanish Steer Horns. Hullalo Horns, Polished or Rough. Elk Tushes, from 50c to $.5. Fine Ell< Heads always on hand. Fur Ruga of all kinds in stock. Send for our catalogue. 70!> Sf)Uth Ifith St., OMAHA, NEB. _ The Fetouary NWiologist contained a comprehensive article on the " Ihihits of the California Oomlor,'' or \\x\X.uve, amon'r ullui- Interest- ing things, describing a perilous expedition after their eggs with half-tone illustrations of old and young con- dors; another srrit^ing feature of this article being the story of a CONDOR HUNT, graphically told by the hun- ter himself. IN THE MARCH NUMBER the taking of the CiUfornia Condor's egg (now owned by H. R. Taylor) is descrlhed by Mm collector of it, furnish- ing valuable information, hitherto unl^uown. about this extremely rare species. This narrative, from its very uniqueness, is far and away the most interesting to the Ornithological world, of anything which has appeared for a long time. An excellent half-tone Illustration accom- panies this article. OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS and articles In this number more than sustain the reputation of the magazine. The NiDiOLOGiST Is literally imlispensible to all --up to date'' Ornithologists and Oologlsts. ScBscKiPTioN, with beautiful premium and .free ex- cfiange notice, $1.50. or SOc for halt year; sample copy, lo cents. Address H. R. TAYLOR, Publisher, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Herkimer Co. Cr3^stals. FINEST IN THE WORLD! No Cabinet complete without tlieiii. Mediil and Diploma at the Woiitl's Fair. The advantage of living at the lo- cality where these marvels of beauty are found, coupled with an exper- ience of IS years in collecting them, enables me to offer fine specimens at the lowest living prices I will send 35 of these Famous oems, postpaid, for only TO cents. FREE: Kvery purcliaser of this popular collection will I)" presented Willi a hand.some glass lube. contain- ing ten mhToscopic crystals, absolutely perfect, and so very small that it talvcs i i,o»io to weigh one ounce. ori)i:r to-day. A. B. CR/I3VE, When answering ads. mention Museum. llKKKIMKRrO. MIDDI.FVILLE, N. Y, THE MUSEUM. 159 Glass Eyes for Birds and Animals Fine or Coarse To^v, ^A^ire, Scalpels, Forceps, Mica Sand, Shell Sand. CHAS. K. REED, TAXIDERMIST, AND DEALER IN Taxidermists' Supplies, Books, Shells, Birds Eggs, and Curiosities. TWO CENT STAMP FOR CATALOGUE. 262 MAIN STREET, WORCESTER, MASS. APGAR'S POCKET KEY to the Birds of the Northern U. S. East of the Rocky Mountains. For years the Editor of the Museum has had in mind a small Pocket Key to the birds of Eastern U. S. A small neat volume easily carried in the pocket, giving some distinguishing feature, that might serve as a guide to identifying birds in the field^and also to quickly tell where to locate an entirely new spe- cies one has shot in the field. Mr. Apgar has condensed into a little book 4x5^ in., 62 pages, just what is needed by all young collectors of Birds and Eggs, putting the price at 50c, prepaid For $1 00 we will send the Key and Ornithologist and Oologist Manual, leather bound, advertised elsewhere. Address, WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION N. Y. i6o THE MUSEUM. 100 BARGAINS loo! LOOK OVER THESE PRICES. Every specimen listed is guaranteed to be strictly first-class in every respect, and price includes packing and postage. Marine Curiosities. Mounted Porcupine Fish $ 65 ,, Toad ,, 75 ,, Baloon ,, 75 ,,. Sawfish 3 ft 2 75 AlHgator 75 Sawfish Saw 25 Hermit Crab in shell 17 Alligator's egg 15 Nurse Shark egg 37 Skate's egg 07 Leopard Sharks egg 09 Devil fish egg 08 Florida Sea Urchin 05 Mammoth Cala sea Urchin 19 Bahama sea Urchin., 14 Atlantic Starfish 11 Black Bahama Starfish 18 Serpent Starfish 23 California Starfish rg Mammoth Bahama Starfish 45 23 23 28 22 18 12 II 14 09 , 16 Chambered Nautilus 2 00 Tulip Shells 13 Small Furblo Clams Green Snail Spotted Cowry Black Mouth Snail Banded ,, 21 23 19 II II Land Curios. Nidorella Armata. Heliaster Kubingii Sea Beaver , , Biscuit Club spined sea Urchin White Branch Coral Large spray Pink Coral Honey Comb Coral Rose Coral Lace Coral Shells. Fine Canieo $ 33 Turks Cap 18 White Murex 14 Pink ,, 19 Black ,, 23 Rose ,, 68 Tiger Cowry 06 Lynx ,, 09 Cockle Shell 11 Angels Wings 43 Tent Olive 98 Harp Shell 28 Spider ,, 21 E. I. Clams, pairs 23 Cardiums 19 Hooked Scorpions 19 Pearl Trochus 19 Lettered Cone 14 Marbled ,, 14 Spondylus 2 50 Address KIRKE B. MATHES, No. 11 St. George St., St. Augustine, Fla. Ivory Apple $ 23 Tarantula in box 67 Centipede ,, ,, 75 Scorpion ,, ,, 50 Nest of trap-door Spiders 45 Bird Skins. Blue Jay $ 16 Black headed Jay 45 Sparrowhawk 45 Rose breasted Grosbeak 19 Indigo Bunting 28 Prairie horned Lark 19 Yellow breasted Chat 35 Long tailed , 35 Cala Quail 48 English Snipe 65 Cala. Woodpecker 22 American Woodcock i 00 Bobwhite 50 Snowy Plover i 00 Black bellied Plover i 00 Wilsons Phalarope 65 Pectoral Sandpiper 45 White throated Sparrow 19 Lark Sparrow 28 Savanah Sparrow Oven Bird Water Thrush Black and Yellow W^arbler Yellow throated ,, Blackburnian ,, Black poll ,, Prairie ,, Parula ,, Cerulian ,, Pinr ,, Gold Wing ,, Wilsons ,, Blue Wing ,, Cedar Waxwing Purple Grackle Bartramian Sandpiper Yellow headed Blackbird 20 18 18 15 60 45 18 35 20 60 18 40 35 60 20 18 30 18. BUY YOUR SUPPLIES FOR '95 where you can buy the Cheapest. If you have not already received my Nciu Years Greeting and Special Offer, write for it at once. In the dissolution of the late firm of F. H. Lattin & Q). , I retained the entire Mammoth Stock of Naturalists' Supplies as well as Bird Eggs, Skins, Minerals, etc., etc. I also retained nearly the entire lot of Cabinets, all Fixtures, all Facilities for handling the trade, which were second to none in the country. I am also located within 300 feet of both Mail, Express and Tele- graph Offices, getting seven mails daily. Do not place your orders before writing for prices. Faithfully, WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. ,,,||;m u H H ■• u •> •• « ■■ •• M u •• >• 11 M u M _ _ u u a U H > ■ >i n ^%::;^!i"l«Sll "">Jlii» ""!j;s;i ™;S;«s iiiil!::iriiii8iiii;:iis8:i;i:,isiB:;iSii:s;;'ii;ii;saiii:';!::«::;f siiiasaiiii:»!!iri«iWiiii::i;s;;i;«a^ ii;i:SS:ii: M sSJl^B isna)B'is;i!ili:;:illHIi;;i! II « I :;» *\ &^f \\ ^~ 0 .,f|;|ll;:;:u:::l;s;::n"s:::;:n:::lssll:)):all::M:n::il:::l:u::;als:alnss:::u:SP;ll;:ll:»Xl::n:nt::l1:|I:s|^»:;ll:s:N '* J illlll J, -■ - - U := n ^5 J^ U M N It ;; I; . ^ P IB pii 5",^'' \ 9 g- S 1 1 Have You Read ::\\ about the b » i-i - - .«.3 I'IJi 9 q .= 'i iii i ^ il C a ii i :> C :i pii « 4 „ -s III. i " Ii iiiiq Mfiii e ^ -ii s ^ pi 4 H'Wh » — ii B q iii B S w;.:;^g Uliijll B ai 1= pill V"* ill % »);<''' a IPi , ♦ A II « « U Ornithologists' and Oologists' ;; ;; f'l MANUAL in this number? Don't miss it, and don't fail to send for it AT ONCE. G B ^11,4 ^ Si i (SB p ,iq » ■ "»;:?. :! , t! .:i .H i: i!,.i n,nn !-H:!'il-:n:"f ;:i!n5a,!i:'l|:';f1!!!B.l:':«!sn'"''f!rir!'Vr'-n-:"i:i'^H:"::itinll'"' V~n"' :"' I|:!::~n-l|:!".li!:||-:' en i: II ;::'.. U-.. ' U..:M.tl..^ .....U. ^."^ ;; U '::. . U .11 .:< U ::.' II-.l .1) ..:.. U . .^U.- i: SI . .- U .♦ V a Biii ?""5 n a pa f i R n p i| * * pjiiii e-5 VOL. I. NO 6 APRIL, 1895. THE MUSEUM. A Journal Devoted Exclusively to Research in Natural Science. RATES: — $1.00 per year to all countries, in advance. Single numbers., to cts Published the Fifteenth of Each Month by WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. V. If you only knew how handy my new Ornithologists' and Oologists' Manual would be to you this summer, you would send for it by return mail. Some of its Contents: A complete list of all North American Birds, giving prices of their eggs and skins, which are the Standard prices used by over four-tlfths of the collectors throughout the country. The arrangement is according to the A. O. U. list, and after each name is Ridge- ways number. Both Common and Scientific Names are give, in different size type. A large list of Mammal Skins, with both common and scientific names, and prices of specimens, also of Reptiles. Then follows a table, giving the approximate number of eggs considered a full set. of eery family of birds in the U. S. This is of special value to those beginning the study of Oology. Complete and exhaustive directions for making Scientific Bird and Mammal Skins, and l)reparing specimens for the cabinet. Instructions for collecting, preparing and preserving birds eggs and nests, tools needed, various recipes recommended and valuable information about making cabinets for specimens. Complete list of Taxidermists' Instruments, Supplies, and Requisites. Our noted con- vex glasses, with plush backs, oil paintings and frames to go with same, animal heads, etc. Oologists' Instruments and Supplies, Standard prices adopted by most of the well- known Taxidermists throughout the country, for mounting birds, making bird skins, mounting mammals, mammal heads. Fishes, making rugs, etc. A large and complete^list of books, making in all a neat little Manual, 4ix6i inches. Just the right size to carry in the pocket. Remember, the prices and information in the Manual arc standard in every detail. Any dealer in the county, will till orders at the prices named. Price, 25 cents. Leather Bound, 50 cents. WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N. Y. THE MUSEUM. WANTS, EXCHANdES AND FOR SALES. All notices that come under above will be inserted in this department until further notice at one-half (i) cent a word. No notice less than 25c. Terms Cash with crder. No charge for address. I shall at all times endeavor to keep parties, whose reputation is of a doubtful char- acter from using these columns. TO EXCHANGE— 1,000 tine stamps some •catalogued at over 15c. for best offer in eggs singles. Send your eggs and I will send stamps. WALTER E.McLAIN, New Vineyard, Maine. A BARGAIN.— The following tirst-class sets and singles go for $5.00: 201, 1-4; 263, 2-4; 342, 1 egg; 368, 1: 417, 1; 420, 1; 428, 1; 423, 1-5; 461, 1-3; 488, 1-0; 498, 2-4; 687, 1-3: 1-4; 705, 1-5; 735, 1-4; 766, 1-5. F. F. ROBERTSON, Fay- ette, la. WANTED.-^Large fossil of fish, will give twelve different medium size fossils or $1.00 in U. S. Fractional Currency. PERRY MARKS, Corn Exchange Bank, New York City. SEND 2ct. stamp for my April Bargain list of eggs of Birds of Prey. I am offering 1,000 eggs of Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Owls, Grouse, Ptarmigan, Partridge this month at prices that cannot be beaten. I must reduce my stock before I leave for North-west Canada in June. W. RAINE, Toronto, Canada. FOR EXCHANGE.— A good violin, for or towards a good double barrel breech loading shot gun with modern improvements. Please write giving full description. BAILEY B. BURRITT, Chili Sta., N. Y. WILL give three dime drills for first tioo copies Natural Science News, August, '94, Oologisis. For eight cents stamps will send drill. L. C. KAEMPFER, 244 W. 43 St., New York City. STAMP Agents wanted at 50 per cent com- mission 25 well assorted 5c., 100 all different 5c. EDWIN G. COREY, 30 East 129 St. New York City. FOR SALE. — Every collector needs a pair of climbers that he can trust and know they are good. I have got such a climber. Made from the toughest steel, will climb any tree. Price with strongest straps $1.50. Without $.80. Address, R. C. ALEXANDER, Ply- mouth, Mich. TO EXCHANGE.— Eggs of this locality for those of others, especially water-birds. Sin- gles preferred. Also 600 varieties of stamps in album. Offer solicited. CHAS. W. OR- TON, 905 E. Wash St. Mt. Pleasant, la. EXCHANGE lot of good stamps fine speci- mens, peacock coal and muscavite for miner- als and shells, send list. Also Hollvhock seeds for sale octs. per packet. HARRY C. SIM- 'ONS, Oak Lane, Phila., Pa. I received enough replies from last month's ad. to convince me the Museum is a good ad- vertising medium, I am Very truly yours, R. C. ALEXANDER, Plymouth, Mich. WANTED.— A large Smith & Wesson, or Colt's pistol, modern design, about 44 Cali- ber. Will exchange anything desired for same. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. TO EXCHANGE.— A good orchester drum almost new value ($15) for a camera or cash. JOS. N. PATTERSON JR., Oak Lane, Pa. FOR SALE. — Fine collection of Cretaceous Invertebrate fossils, from Montana, including a few undescribed species, at 40 per cent dis- count. HOMER SQUYER, Wibaux, Mont. FINE Grandfathers brass clock can give record for 175 years, will exchange for A. Wilson and C. L. Bonaparte American Orni- thology, or its value in stuffed birds. D. J. HART, Marlboro, N. H. WANTED.— A June 1888 Oologist to Com- plete my file. Will allow 25c. worth of any- thing I advertise for same. Look over your odd Numbers and see if you haven't one. PUBLISHER MUSEUM, Albion, N. Y. I WILL exchange fine Banner stone gor- gets, drills, fossils and other rare specimens for good old stamps, shells, bird eggs or any good Sea curios. MRS. M. H. NOELL, Flag Pond, Scott Co. Va. BOOKS! BOOKS!— Science, set waverly, Political Economy, etc. All new— A 1 revol- ver. Will exchange for eggs in sets or shells, properly named. J. P. W^ BROUSE, Mason City, Ills. "elegant new catalogue just issued and sent to any address for stamp. FRED W. STACK, Poughkeepsie N. Y. HAVE you read Birds' Nestings in North- west Canada? 1 have a few copies left at $2. each. It is full of illustrations and colored plates of eggs. This book will delight you as it has done five hundred other Oologists. I have over 100 testimonials from members of the American and British Ornithologists Un- ion, members of the British Parliraent, British Noblemen, and well know Naturalists both in the United States and Great Britain. Send for list of testimonials and be convinced that I am oft"ering one of the cheapest and most in- teresting books on Bird Nesting ever publish- ed. W. RAINE, Bleeker St., Toronto, Can- ada. lo: TH1-: MUSEUM. KKDrCKH rKK'KS.^05 variotios of raro l:ibt
  • il I'lniositios all ju>rfoot, for only tiOc. 10 varii'tit's of raif laboloil pt>rftH't Imliaii Hi'liis tor only iM)i' . (i varii'tios of Holii's.O,-/.. lo \ariotifs of Kolii-s. $1.10. 7 variotios .of Kelu'S. 40i'.. 15 vanttios of ran» I'uriosit'os Relics oti'. labeloil, '^7i\. 10 varietitv^ MhuMals. laln'lod. r»ru*., 1 a\o., lMi>\iiitl Halt, I larijc Spoar, 1 llaminor Stono. 1 War C\\\h luvul, for $1.10 Order tvirlv tlioso prii't\>< will not bo ropoattnl. W . PKHKY AKNOLH, Ston inj»tou, Couu. WAMTKH.— Secoinl luuui Copy of Cones' Key. Kidgoways Manual, and Sanuud's our NiMthorn anil Kastorn Hirds, Kor uliii-h 1 otVor anythins; in lino of lVird.<; Kiisjs. skins, slioUs, oorals, nnnorals, oto . or i>art oash. Write statinjj, oditon. ooniHtiou and price, to W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. WAN TEH. — Birds ejjtjs and Od hand vol. Coue>j' Key. NN'ill give evobauge in eggs, >JOts and singles. Same wanted. Write stating what von have ete. FKKDK W. STACK. rO" KEEPS IE, ^•. Y. WANTED— A pair of climbers and "Cones" Key." will exehange eggs of this locality or give spi»t cash, all letters answeied, state con- tiition anil prices. HALL THOMAS. Decorah, Iowa K(.)K EXCHANGE— A Sewing Alachine. in good order. Will exchange for anything de- sirable or cheap for cash. W. K. WKBB, Albion. N. Y. iA)C)K!— Collectors t>f eggs that are beyond reach fri>ni the ground should use the new sack can. N\ hen open it nieasnrcs 7 in. long by 8 in. in diameter. Closed same diameter and 5 in. long. Will take Ooc. worth of eggs in sets with data for each sack. Trice 16c. cash Address CLARENCE LUTHER, P. O. Box S-.'-Mayetteville. Ark. TO EXCHANtJE— Eggs in sets with data, and skins of birds of my locality this coming season with ilistant collectors Correspon- dence solicited L M. CLARK, Ornitholo- gist and OcUogist, P. O. Lock Box 47. SulVicld. "n)EAL DATA."— Bound in checkbook forn>. Neatest and best out. 3l)c. per book of 100. Will exchange for desirable sets. Sample for stamps. Certain to please. E. E. IKONS. Publisher. Council BlutV, Iowa. COLLECTORS AND TAXIDERMISTS who want prime specimens of Birds and Mammals of this loi-ality in the meat or fresh skins, semi immediatlv lor niv Price List at lowest living prices.' KILEY P. BROWN. Collector aud Taxidermist, Milton, Wis. .irST rei-eived the Misktm and the pre- mium of $1.00 W(>rlh of skins. Certainly any- one who invests a dollar with you now is get- ting over three times his money's worth. Youi- olVer is t>ne that a person does not see everyday. Truly yours..I. EARL LIDWR^K, McCook, Nebr. KLASTU^ SANDSTONK— A line cabinet specimen ■..V^\4,* in. for only ir)e. i>r for '-.Tic, I will send liy express a r>x!» in. specimen. Sat- isfaction guarente«>il. P, R C.VMP, (Jaines ville. tia. WANTED to exehangcentire U. S. envel- opes IS.");>, lOe bulV. die -I, No. Hi. for set'? of eggs with d:iia, namcil mineials. shells i>r cu- rios RALPH W.CLAYTON, Box 454, Gales- burg, Ills. TO EXCHANGE —Eastern Penna. birds- aud mammals, nicely mounttul. moth proof, beauties. for a gotnl bicvi'le. First-class spec- imens for.>;alc"at all tiuies. CJ. W.WALTON. Falmouth, Pa. WANTED. — Cocoons of Polyphemus, Luna. Cynthea. Promythea, Angulifcra. Chryoali- der oi Pajiiloo, A.jax. Cresphanter, Troili.s, Philenor Palamedes, also Buttertlies in pa- V)er. OlTcr exotic Buttertlies in exchange. PROF. CARL BRAUN. Bangor, Me. NOTICE. — I expect to get a good many eggs, shells, curios, etc.. this spring and sum- mer, so I will sell the specimens I now have on hand, very cheap, so as to make room for them. 1 have a list of about (>0 specimens, and have fn)m 10 to 100 of eai'h. Semi two cent Stan j> for list, quick, as I will send no specimens after May. 10th. W. H. HILLER, 147 W. 28d St., Los Angeles, Cal. OOLOCISTS' OUTFITS, consisting of nick- el jdateil en\bryo hook, blow pipe and ilrill in neat Docket case, o") cents, postpaid, FRED- W. STACK. Ponghkeepsie, J}. Y. WANTED. A safety bii-ycle. Have IW. 00 koilak, typewriter, Indian relics, three watches and ring to exchange. What have vou got to trade for any of the above? M.W.ilUCiHKS, Waconda, Ills. WILL EXCHAN(iE anything in the Hue of job printing; data blanks, tMivelopes, note heads, circiUars. catalogues, etc., for strctl.y tirst chiss i^pecinienn, or pfiolos of bird life, W. A. JOHNSON. V2S W. Brooks St., Gales- burg, 111. NOW AND THEN.— Two vol, in one; pp 11H5 and '248; published in '24 bi-monthly num- bers 1888-02. Fidl set by mail nnbouiul $2.00 in half-moroct'o $2 75. Contains npwanl of 800 articles. Local History, biographical sketches, arch.vology. etc. Also very full geneology uf the Rogers family, showing des cent fn>m the martvr. Indian relics taken in exchange. ,1. M.' M. CiERNKRD, Fditor, Muncy, Pa. TO EXCHANGE or sell cheap. Old coins. U. S. Fractional and Piv>ital Currency, old Fire Arms, Moiuul Builders, .jugs, pots, vases, pipes. Hint arrows, spear })oints, bin! aud mammal skins, deer, antlers, one large pair elk, antlers, one niountcd bison head, snakes, turtles, frogs, toads, torte.ise, land and sea shells, bird eggs, mounted birds. Send '2 ct stamp for further information. Also have live hawks, owl, .«squirrels, coon, eagle. C. F FITK, Denver, Ind. THE MUSEUM. 163 YOUR O. and O. Mammal is simply a ionj/ f W. STAr'K, Poughkcepsie, N. Y. A liEAL"i'IKi;L Moonstone in its natural state and a Ijig package of interesting Ama- teur papers and other reading; all sent post- paid, for onlv 10c. in silver. HAWKEYP: ADV. CONCERN, Mason City, Iowa. EXCHAN(;E. - stamps of France, Germany, lieiglum, Norway. Sweden, Denmark, Switzer- land and many other countries, in exchange for Confederate, Columbian, or South Ameri- can .stamps. H. DAVLS ACKERLY, 2 Ave- de la Gare, Lausaune, Switzerland. BIRD SKINS and sets to exchange for per- fect specimens of Lepidoptera (in papers pre- feired) not in my collection, or books on the sul>ject. Address, L. (j. WOODRUFF, 202 West lOyd St., New York. EXCHANGE NOTICE.— This coming sea- son I will collect eggs in sets, botanical speci- mens, lepidoptera and marine curiosities. Write enclosing stamp for particulars. ORA W. KNIGHT, No. 157 Hammond St., Bangor. Maine. TO EXCHANGE.— Fine sets of Arctic, Ro- seate and Common Terns, with original data. Am especially desirous of obtaining eggs of Northern and Western birds and Raptores. C. C. PURDUM, Wood's HoU, Mass. TO EXCHANGE.— Magic Lantern, new cost $4.00. Make olfer in first-class sets, or part cash. Collectors desiring sets of this locality, this season write. CHAS. R. STOCKARD, Box. 55, Columbus, Miss. EGGS for batching from high-scoring White Plymouth Rocks: also a few cockerels and pullets to spare. Order at once as this sup- ply is limited. W. J. B. WILLIAMS, Hol- land Patent, N. Y. LOOK AT THISI— I have a mounted Great Blue Heron for sale cheap, becau.se I have no room for it, or I will exchange for Coues' Key or Packard's "Guide to the study of Insects," or best offer in first-class skins, birds eggs or shells. Write at once. No postals. GUY K. BARNE.S. Strawberry Pt., Iowa. SEND two cent stamp for my April bargain list of singles. Must clear them out this month. 10 cents each buys eggs of B'ack Guillemot, Mew Gull, Kittiwake, Corncrake, Cormorant, Kestrel, etc., etc. 25 cents each buys eggs of Stormy Petrel, Gadwall, White Ibis, Harris' Hawk, Swainson's and Rough- leg Hawks, Merlin, Limpkin, Turkey Vul- ture, Ospre}', etc., etc. Also a lot of second class eggs. Great bargains, and some fine birds skins cheap. My annual sprinz clear- ance sale is now on. No decent oilers refus- ed. W. RAINE, 181 Bleeker.St., Toronto, Ont. LKiUID COURT PLASTER. -Something new. Haven't you ever seen it'" If not send for bottle at once only 25c. prepaid. W. F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y. A NEW $12.00 32 cal. revolver and 35 shot cartridges to fit, or a set of two Miss Kite, for set of Golden Eagle or other rare sets or New Eng. Bird life by Coues. E. E. MOFFATT, Winsted, Conn. SEND 10 CENTS. — Pure spruce chewing gum from the Maine woods, taken from spruce trees which grow only in the State of Maine. Send 10 cents for sample package. Pure and nice, no adulteration. AROOS- TOOK GUM CO., Box 436, Caribou, Maine. ARTIFICIAL EYP:S, best English make, 0 gross, blac,'k assorted sizes. 1 to 12, $1.25; 0 gross colored, assorted color and size, 1 to 12, $5. Either of the above lots sent carriage paid on receipt of P. O. order. CHAS. JEF- FERYS, Naturalist and Taxidermist, Tenby, Eng. UNITED STATES Postage Stamps, 40 dif- ferent, including scarce and old issues post free$l. English stamps, 48 dilTerent, includ- ing old issues, "fiovt. Parcels," etc., $1, post free. CHAS. JEFFERYS. Naturalist, Tenby, Eng- CHOICE EUROPEAN Birds Eggs cheap by mail or express. Send 5 cents for price lists. CHAS. JEFFERYS, Naturalist, Tenby, Eng. WANTPvD:— Pupils in short-hand, penman- ship, bookkeeping, or Spanish. I teach all these branches by mail and personally secure good positions when competent. I make the securing of good positions for my pupils a speciality. No other school does that. For circulars and information write, W. G.CHAF- FEE, Oswego, N. Y. W^ANTED:— To correspond with those who have a few dollars to invest the coming. season in mounted birds, skins or eggs in set* from North Dakota and Manitoba. Am booking orders frem some of the best, well-known col- lectors in America. I will be accompanied by a first-class taxidermist during this my third trip to the Northwest. Correspondence desired with taxidermist in regard to furni.sh- ing fresh, pliable skins of Franklin's Gull, Geese. Ducks, Terns, White Pelican, etc., EDWIN S. BRYANT, Davison, Mich. COLUMNS. Try our exchange columns. If 3'ou have anything you want to sell or ex- change here is the place for it. We will accept first-class specinjens at one-half rates in pay- ment of space in these columns RECEIVED the issue of February and March, 'No. 4 and '), of the Museum. I consid- er j'our publication />ar (:x<:cAhnf>e an