A History of Oregon Ornithology: From Territorial Days to the Rise of Birding
Oregon State University Press – $34.95
Alan L. Contreras, Vjera E. Thompson and Nolan M. Clements, editors
A new book just out from Oregon State University Press includes several chapters that mention Malheur and its environs. Edited by FOM board member Alan Contreras and two other leading Oregon bird observers, it covers early bird-related explorations beginning with the Lewis and Clark expedition and continuing through the mid-20th Century.
This includes chapters on Charles E. Bendire, who studied the birds of Malheur Lake and nearby areas while stationed at Camp Harney in the late 19th Century, and William L. Finley and Herman Bohlman, who worked to establish Malheur and other refuges. In addition, the life and work or Ira Gabrielson, Stan Jewett and Dave Marshall is featured. All of them were involved in making Malheur a modern and successful refuge.
The second half of the book discusses “citizen science” in the modern era. This includes material on bird surveys, hawk watches, Christmas Bird Counts, bird study in various schools, changes in Oregon bird populations, Oregon seabirds, the advent of the Internet and eBird and other subjects.
Color plates depict the bird art of Bruce Horsfall, L.B. McQueen, Jon Janosik, Elva Paulson, Emily Poole, Shawneen Finnegan, Becky Uhler and Junco Bullick.
COMING THIS WINTER:
As the Condor Soars, a companion volume to the new History, is due from OSU Press this winter. Edited by former AOU president Sue Haig, Tashi Haig and Dan Roby from Oregon State University, it includes chapters on conservation and research related to birds of Oregon after the mid-20th Century.
Both books will be available at the Crane’s Nest Nature Store.
