Ornithology -- Fieldwork

Content Description

This collection contains 2 notebooks of handwritten ornithological sightings from West Roxbury, Massachusetts, dating from 1885-1901, 1 notebook of handwritten ornithological sightings and report drafts from West Roxbury, Massachusetts, dating from 1885-1890, 1 notebook of histology laboratory from 1894-1895 containing detailed illustrations of microscopic biological tissues, and a compilation of Pasquaney nature lectures series from 1897.

Content Description The heath hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido) is a now extinct subspecies of the greater prairie chicken. While at one point extremely common, the birds became locally extinct on the mainland and only existed on Martha's Vineyard by the late 1800s. The continuing decline was noticed by ornithologist Alfred Otto Gross, who reported his observations to the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England in 1925. The Federation then took immediate action to try to preserve the remaining birds through...

Content Description These notebooks are largely about birdwatching in New England and include what birds were seen, when they were seen, and where they were seen. There are large sections that have more observations of behavior and habits. There are also pages with quotes inscribed by the author in the book, appointment notes, and other thoughts. Throughout the journals are many doodles of birds and parts of birds, and many of the covers are covered in doodles and notes. Some pages have been crossed out or...