How long do you think it takes to thoroughly study an ecosystem? In the summer and early fall of 1900, Vernon Bailey had ranged between westernmost Texas and northern California studying and collecting plant and animal specimens for the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey. Now, a year later, he returns to his field study of biodiversity in Texas and New Mexico. This field notebook contains his notes during this time, including a list of scientific names of bird specimens collected, a plant catalog of specimens no. 320 - 465 and travel itinerary information.
Join digital volunteers to help us transcribe these notes, making them more accessible and useful to today's biodiversity researchers.
How long do you think it takes to thoroughly study an ecosystem? In the summer and early fall of 1900, Vernon Bailey had ranged between westernmost Texas and northern California studying and collecting plant and animal specimens for the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey. Now, a year later, he returns to his field study of biodiversity in Texas and New Mexico. This field notebook contains his notes during this time, including a list of scientific names of bird specimens collected, a plant catalog of specimens no. 320 - 465 and travel itinerary information.
Join digital volunteers to help us transcribe these notes, making them more accessible and useful to today's biodiversity researchers.
Vernon Orlando Bailey (1864-1942) was born in Manchester, Michigan. At an early age his family moved to Elk River, Minnesota, where he developed an interest in natural history. Around 1885, Bailey began sending collections of birds and mammals to Clinton Hart Merriam, Chief of the newly created Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy of the United States Department of Agriculture (in 1896 the name was changed to the Bureau of Biological Survey). In 1887, Bailey was appointed Special Field Agent for the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy. His title was changed to Chief Field Naturalist in 1890, and he remained with the Biological Survey until his retirement in 1933. Bailey's chief biological interest was the study of the life history and distribution of mammals. During his career with the Biological Survey, he made field investigations throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including intensive biological surveys of Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon. His bibliography numbered 244 titles and included scientific monographs, as well as publications for the general reader.