Botanists and Ornithologists

In Remembering the Don (1981) Charles Sauriol wrote:

The Don Valley has played host, and still plays host, to many of the outstanding botanists and writers of this day. In a half-mile walk, one may meet a man who has written a book on birds, or who has collected all of the local species of plants." (71)

A little research on the earlier history of ornithology in our region points toward a Hamilton ornithologist named Thomas McIlwraith.  From Canadian Biography online:

McIlwraith is chiefly remembered as a pioneer ornithologist. A field man, he believed strongly that direct observation was essential to understanding habitat and migration, two aspects of ornithology that particularly intrigued him. With his brother Andrew and later with his youngest son, Kennedy Crawford, he walked almost daily for miles along Burlington Bay (Hamilton Harbour), Dundas Marsh, and the 'mountain'. One must suppose that the routine at the gasworks was a tedious imposition upon his true interests, and that a desire to devote more time to the study of birds influenced his move to private business.

In one of his books written following 40 years of bird-watching entitled The birds of Ontario: being a concise account of every species of bird known to have been found in Ontario, McIlwraith opens with:

To EVERY lover of outdoor life the birds are familiar objects, and their society is a continual source of enjoyment. Not only are their colors pleasing to the eye and their voices agreeable to the ear, but their various habits, when observed, excite our admiration of the unerring instinct which directs them in all their movements. (p 9)

You can read this book online at OnRead, but be forewarned that this nineteenth century ornithologist devotes a substantial section of his book to the capture, killing, and stuffing of his beloved birds. Also of interest are McIlwraith's attempts to reconcile categories of migration.

Birds Illustrated By Color Photography [May 1897]

"Of all animated nature, birds are the most beautiful in coloring, most graceful in form and action, swiftest in motion and most perfect emblems of freedom. They are withal, very intelligent and have many remarkable traits, so that their habits and characteristics make a delightful study for all lovers of nature. In view of the facts, we feel that we are doing a useful work for the young, and one that will be appreciated by progressive parents, in placing within the easy possession of children in the homes these beautiful photographs of birds." (p. 9)

You can read this book online at OnRead

In an article entitled "The Fifty-third stated meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union" by T.S. Palmer we get a little insight into what North American ornithologists were talking about in 1935 and who was involved in Canada.

For the third time the Union met in Canada October 21-24, 1935, and held one of the largest and most successful meetings in its history. Head-quarters were at the Royal York Hotel where the business sessions and the annual dinner were held. The public sessions were held in the theatre and lecture room of the Royal Ontario Museum. Special bus service between the headquarters and the Museum proved a great convenience and assured prompt attendance at the sessions." found here.