Re: Re[2]: Obscure State Records and References for Birds
MHoff36100@aol.com
Thu, 28 Jan 1999 15:51:00 EST
History Buffs --
Pardon me, as I just sent a copy of the message below with no comments ...
that mouse button can be touchy some times!
As part of my project on Worcester County birds, I am in the process of
reviewing all the Maryland records in the Patuxent "card file". I have
completed all the species through the auks, and have found about 600 cards
that have Worcester-specific data. Many of the records are from the
late-1940s, and duplicate records published in Stewart and Robbins, Maryland
Birdlife or the Wood Thrush. But there are a fair number (of less significant)
records that didn't make it into these publications (for example complete trip
reports from Stewart's and Robbins' trips to the coast in 1945 and
early-1946). There are a number of other previously unknown to me records as
well (e.g. many G. Amman records from the early-30s, only a few of which are
published in S&R). Given the scarcity of material pre-1945, these records will
help establish historical patterns of occurrence for certain species.
Interestingly enough, there is a card for a Trumpeter Swan record from
Worcester County, which I don't have with me at the moment. I do remember it
doesn't include any details other than date and place, and since the record
was not included in S&R ...
Having reviewed all the Maryland records for each species through the auks, I
can say many of the cards are photocopies of published notes related to
specific species (e.g., a complete copy of Kirkwood is interspersed species-
by-species). There are also hundreds of records from Gibson Island in the 50s,
and the Emmitsburg area, but coverage is very spotty. Nonetheless, it would be
an important source of information for someone attempting to chronicle the
state's birdlife. A few more records for the data base ...
FYI.
Mark Hoffman
Mhoff36100@aol.com
In a message dated 1/28/99 1:15:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, FROG@usgs.gov
writes:
> Yes and no. The cards primarily were used to develop a series of
> maps. Those maps were the early basis for distribution maps for many
> species and were also used to look at timing of migration. For
> example, Fred Lincoln had a famous pubication called, I think simply,
> "Bird Migration." If you look in Robbin's field guide you will also
> see these maps republished as first arrival isobars on his
> distribution maps.
>
> However, the raw cards and data themselves languish.
>
> sam
>