Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-20
BIRDS OF BEAUTY.
WITH THE ORNITH0LOGLST.
n, wsrd,rfui Piamsse or The Birds or the
Tropies- their Habits.
Washington Star

Institution and the National Museum
contain a record Of 10000 specimen
which have been received in the orni
biological department. There are nov
on hand in the cases and chests, il
which are stored away the ornithologi
cal wealth Of the museum. $4,000 spe
cimens. OF course, there are man,
birds Of the same species. Ii
addition to the type specimens pre-
served for exhibition and study
a duplicate collection is maintained
and besides that, there is always OF
hand large stock known as the 70
serve collection, used in making ex
changes, by means Of which the mu'
scum is enabled to get rare birds from
collections in other countries. Mr.
Robert Ridgway, the ornithologist, is
now engaged in completing duplicate
collection Of North American birds,
with the view of having always on ex-
bibition in the museum a complete col
lection. Then, il requisition is made
upon the department for birds to ex-
bibit at an exposition, as was done in
the case Of the recent New Orleans Ex-
position. the request may be honored
without detriment to the collection Of the
museum. Atpresent the public sees only
very small portion Of the ornithologi-
cal collection Of the museum. This is
displayed in exhibition cases in the
museum hall Of the Smithsonian build
ing. and consists chiefly Of birds
which, on account Of their size, their
plumage, OF their habits, possess much
popular interest. In one Of the long
galleries looking down upon the hall
Mr.. Ridgway has his studio, or work.
room. At one side is o row OF cases
fitted with drawers made for the pur-
pose, which are closely packed with
specimens. In one Of the large apart
ments in the basement of the building
are stored away 20 cords Of birds
in chests and cases. They are mostly
birds of large size and birds kept in the
duplicate collection. The basis of the
collection was the private and valuable
collection belonging to Professor Baird,
and which he donated TO the Smithso-
Man Institution upon becoming assist
ant secretary Of the institution. The
growth of the collection has been very
rapid. Since Mr.. Ridgway assumed
the curatorship Of the department OF
birds. in 1869, the number in the col
lection has trebled. During the last
few years the collection has increased in
increasing ratio. While last year about
6,O00 skins were received, during the
previous year the number was about
1000. One who can get the privilege of
talk with Mr.. Ridgway while he is
deity at work among the myriads of
specimens from the feathery kingdom
around him will discover that there are
thousands Of curious little facts about
birds and their habits he never heard
of before. While the ornithologist is
engaged in working out his share of the
great problem Of life and evolution,
which, of course, entails much hard and
dry study that has little popular inter-
est. he gathers around him much that
is beautiful and wonderful and inter-
esting from the popular standpoint. 1t
is the fairy-land Of science.
There are many persons engaged in
bunting birds and eggs, not for scientists
only, but for trade purposes. Mr..
Ridgway said that great place for
hunting birds in this part Of the country
is on Cobb's Island. Mr.. lIenshaw
made an expedition to Cobb's Island in
1878 and collected many fine specimens.
The island is favorite stopping-place
for migratory birds. In 1879 Mr..
llenshaw returned there with Mr..
Ridgway and spent a most profitable
season gathering pathological riches.
In 1851 professor from Princeton
University visited the island and cap
turcd 1000 specimens. Then the island |
having become famous, the professional
raided it. In the season of |
1884 these collectors took away 10000 I.
birds to supply the millinery /
trade Of Paris. Under such draft the |
birds are rapidly disappearing from the
ISLAND.
The millners do great damage to the
birds in many parts Of the country.
On Long Island alone last year seventy
thousand birds were killed as a sacri-
ice TO fashion and female vanity.
These birds were sent to New York.
The slaughter of birds in the interest
Il science is comparatively trifiing.
The ornithologist seeks for specimens
# the same birds from different parts
f the country or Of the world for
he purpose of discovering the in
ermediate species and dividing the
'irds into geographical races. For in
lance, there is little difference between
he robin-redbreast east Of the Rocky
and his western cousin, ex-
ept that the western robin is n little
anger. The ornithologist has discov-
red, however, that the eastern robin
as little white dappled marking on
be end Of the tail.featherS which the
'cstern robin has not. To ascertain
neither this was an inyariable rule, il
as necessary, Of course, to examine a
rest many specimens Of robins. Now,
n eastern robin can be picked out of
Irge number Of robins at once by
Ieans Of the label which nature has
.tached to its tail. In the cases of Mr..
idgway'S gallery and work-room are
lirty-fye thousand specimens. The col
ction of North American birds, which
Ikes most Of the space, is the finest Of
$ kind in the world. Next to it is
le collection of South American birds,
hich is rated as the second best in the
orld. A private collection belonging
} wealthy gentleman in England.
no spent much time and money in {
Drfecting it, and recently presented it {
} the British Museum, is considered {
! the finest collection Of South Ameri- ,
IN birds. Central and South America (
&c especially rich in birds, as about !
le third of the known species Of birds {
the world have their habitat there. I
be department under Mr.. Ridgwsy's 7
re comprises, also, very full colloc- .
On OF birds from the Old World. (
These birds, preserved for study and 1
are slowed away in fiat q
SEES, which in turn fit secure, one over t