H.—33

8

The Lewis collection of New Zealand Coleoptera, augmented by some hundred set specimens presented by Mr. H. W. Simmonds, forms a fairly extensive collection, and has been much used by students for identification purposes. Any specimens not. represented b) r species in the collection are sent to Major Broun, the authority on New Zealand Coleoptera, who kindly names them. The collection of foreign entomological specimens numbers thirty thousand, and comprises principally Heterocera and Rhopalocera from Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Malay Archipelago, India, Ceylon, China, Japan, South Africa, Central America, and the Palsearctic regions, and are at present being arranged under their respective countries. Within the last year the Director, Dr. Thomson, while on an official visit to Fiji, collected two hundred specimens, which have since been mounted. Quite a large number of foreign Lepidoptera, especially the Heterocera, are unnamed, and so must remain isolated until steps are taken to identify them. The cabinet-drawers have, recently been repapered and many specimens reset. The foreign Coleoptera, most of which are named, remain in boxes, owing to lack of cabinet accommodation. Report on the Ornithological Collections, by H. Hamilton, Museum Assistant. My first duty, on being temporarily appointed to the Museum staff, was the overhauling of the collection of New Zealand birds. Until further accommodation is provided and the services of si taxidermist are obtained, the collections had better remain where they are. The Museum at one time contained a fairly complete collection of New Zealand birds, including type specimens of many of Buller's species. Through various causes the collection cannot be said to be comprehensive now. Specimens may have been destroyed by natural causes, but there was no method of ascertaining when and how. My first care in overhauling the collection was to give each specimen, whether mounted or not, a registered number and an indexed card. All the bird-skins Worth keeping were then freed from insect pests, and packed away in tin-lined cases for future reference. This Was, I think, the best method of dealing with the situation, as there need be no doubt about the safety of the collection now. Of course, the mounted birds will continue to deteriorate, until the services of a qualified taxidermist, are secured to attend to them and the exhibition cases are made on a, better principle. The collection of New Zealand birds cannot be said to be representative, as many of the commoner species are missing. Although a species may be common now, that is no reason why a good series should not be obtained for future reference. Seeing that our native birds are being rapidly exterminated by various agencies, it is imperative that the museums ot the Dominion, and especially this national Museum, should obtain comprehensive collections. Even in the best-equipped museums a certain amount of deterioration takes place in the specimens, and fresh stocks are being accumulated. It is highly desirable, therefore, that this Museum should obtain a fresh lot of birdskins. Regarding the collection of foreign birds in the Museum, the previous remarks also apply. The collection is not sufficiently representative. It Would be much better to confine our attentions to New Zealand natural history before attempting anything beyond a comparative collection of foreign fauna and flora. The problem of space and attention prohibits action on a larger scale. List of Donations for 1913-14. Amor, Commander E. R. .. .. JBalloon-fish, Tasmania. Atkinson, E. D. .. .. .. Tertiary Brachiopoda, Table Cape, Tasmania. Bollons, Captain .. .. .. Brachiopod from Cape Farewell Spit. Brandon, Mrs. J. P. .. .. Two busts. Buller, W. L. .. .. .. Maori obelisk from Papaitonga. Campbell and Hunt .. .. Ribbon-fish, Paraparaumu. Egyptian Exploration Fund .. Collection of Egyptian antiquities. Geological Survey Department .. Old Maori skull. Gordon, Mrs. M. H. .. .. Human remains from Pyramid of Unas, Egypt. Hard, Sergt. G. . . . . . . Shell, used as a trumpet from midden, Somes Island. Harrison, W, .. .. . . Fossil bird-bones from Martinborough. Hill, H. .. . . . . Fossil (Inoceramus) from Poverty Bay. Internal. Affairs Department . . Stuffed trout from Rotorua. Milne, Rev. W. V. .. . . Tree-drum from New Hebrides. New Zealand Institute .. .. Two scientific manuscripts. O'Farrell, Miss E... .. .. Moths from Otaki. Officers of H.M.S. " New Zealand " .. Model of H.M.S. " New Zealand." Olliver, W. R. .. .. .. Shells from Kermadoc Islands. Pike, E. R. .. .. Inscribed board from Auckland Islands. Powell, A. .. . . . . American bank-notes. Pringle, Mrs. T. .. .. .. Japanese, Chinese, and New Hebrides articles ; New Zealand tokens. RadelifFc, H. E. .. .. . . Shells (Chione yatei) from Rona Bay, Port Nicholson. Richardson, J. M. .. .. Two cases of New Zealand stuffed birds. Skinner, H. D. .. .. .. Four Maori stone implements. Thomson, G. M. . . . . .. Brachiopoda from Foveaux Strait and Cape Colville. Waaka Hunia (per Rev. Fletcher) .. Old Maori flag. Watson Bros. .. .. .. Fish and starfish from north end of Kapiti Island. Wilson, R. A. .. .. Three little grebe from Bulls. Zohrab, E. G. .. .. .. Ribbon-fish (Traohypterus) from Chatham Islands.