The Museum acquired its first collection of scientific
importance when Frank Stephens, the first director of the
museum, donated his bird and mammal collection to the museum in
1910. The holdings have continued to grow in size and
significance, with subsequent addition of specimens collected by
staff members and others, including Laurence M. Huey, Sam G.
Harter, May Canfield, J. E. Green, Joseph W. Sefton, Jr., R. C.
Banks, J. R. Jehl, Jr., A. M. Rea, and P. Unitt, as well as
acquisitions of important collections, primarily that of Stanley
Jewett. Birds: approximately 46,700 skins (both flat and
conventional or "round" skins); 8050 skeletons. Taxonomic
coverage: Skins of almost all species of North America,
including Baja California. The full range of variation
(geographic, seasonal, sexual, developmental) of many
southwestern species is represented. Passerines with complex
geographic variation are covered in greatest depth. The skeleton
collection is taxonomically broad, covering over 90% of all bird
familie