New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06

The Rarest Are Not Publicly Exhibited in Collection of the Phil
Academu Of Scicnces-Whcre Theu Were Secured.

The Academy OF Sciences OF Philadelphia has
ways prided itself on possessing one Of the
most complete collections OF birds in the world
or late years Washington and New York have
been struggling for supremacy I'm the ornitho-
logical world and the Quaker City scientists
have been quietly adding 20 their collection. In
order not 10 be left behind As long ago as
1857 DR.. p. L. Sclater pronounced the collec-
ton OF birds in the Academy OF Sciences su-
perior to that of any museum In Europe. Pro-
fessOr Wilmer Stone. n famous authority on
bird life. has Just completed his work OF cat
soguing the collection in the possession OF the
Academy OF Sciences. and about one-third Of
the specimens are now on exhibition in the
museum OF the institution. Two-thIrds OF the
collection will remain IN airtigh, and dark
cases. where they Will be at the disposal OF any
scientist seeking 10 add 10 his knowledge
OF archaeological subjects. The reason these
specimens will not be placed on public exhibit
ton is that they are far too valuable to sub
Ject TO the deteriorating influence OF light and
air. II has been found that about forty or fifty
years IS the duration Of the life Of specimens
placed In cases for public exhibition. Those
on exhibition. therefore. will be specimens Of
which there are duplicates or those that can
be replaced without a great amount OF trouble.
The rarest specimens viii not be allowed TO
museum is asked to show them.
Among the rare specimens is one OF the great
aux. and one of the eggs of that famous bird.
The eggs are even rarer than the birds. for. &C
cording TO Professor Stone there are only two in
America, and a valuation Of from $500 to 5000 IS
placed on them by collectors. Another rare bird
Of which there is a specimen in the collection Is
the Labrador duck, Of which there are not more
than forty-two specimens. according to Profess
sor Stone I'm the world. The Sandwich Islands
have been hunted for rare birds and n
number of Specimens have been brought to the
academy of species that will soon be extinct
because Of the onslaughts on the forests Of the
Islands and the consequent killing of Of the
birds of the district One specimen in the pos
session Of the academy is unique Professor
stone being unable to give il any name so ex-
tremely rare is the species. 1t is a bird similar
in appearance TO the common American warbler
but has distinctive features that place Il In a
class by itself.
Among the pelicans OF the collection are some
from Florida, where they are becoming daily
more scarce because of the demand for their
plumage for millinery purposes. So much have
the birds decreased In numbers that the United
States government has taken a hand in the
hunt and has established a pelican island ON
the east coast OF Florida as a permanent reser-
walton for the birds. where they can live free
from fear OF the hunter and save themselves
from extinction because of the greed Of the
feather collector. At one time the pelican with
his huge bag beneath the beak In which he
stored fish for the young, was to be seen as far
north Sandy Hook Now II Is necessary to