Obscure State Records and References for Birds

FROG (FROG@usgs.gov)
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 09:33:23 -0700


     
     For those of you who are hunters of obscure and ancient records of 
     birds in Maryland (or any state or province for that matter) you might 
     be intersted in knowning about the 6 million cards kept in attic of 
     the Nelson Building at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.  These cards 
     were collected from the 1880's through the 20's with some continuation 
     through the 40's.  
     
     Cards are separated by AOU number and then state.  Information came 
     from field reports, publications, books, field notes, diaries, and a 
     network of people who collected information for the Bird Migration 
     Project.  These cards were collected to better understand the 
     distribution, abundance, and migration of birds and is an almost 
     complete compilation of data on bird occurence in North America prior 
     to 1920.
     
     If you are interested in the collection, you can contact Chan Robbins 
     (301-497-5641, Chan_Robbins@usgs.gov) or myself at the number below 
     for access.  It is likely to move soon to the archives.
     
     None of it is databased.
     
     sam
     
Sam Droege  FROG@USGS.GOV                      
w 301-497-5840 h 410-798-6759 fax 301-497-5784
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
 12100 Beech Forest, Laurel, Md 20708-4038
Http://www.mp1-pwrc.usgs.gov

Blue Jay

Now that autumn is here
And the leaves curl up in sheer 
Disgust,
And the cold rains fringe the pine, 
You really must
Stop that supercilious whine
Or you'll be shot by some mephitic
Angry critic.
  --George Lathrop