July 2016

Notes from William Brewster: Trials in Wildlife Photography

This post is part of a series on the collection of ornithologist William Brewster (1851-1919) at the Ernst Mayr Library, written by Elizabeth Meyer, Library Project Assistant.

In the mid-1890s, Brewster’s journals increasingly reference using new methods of data collection. Though he continued to collect specimens on a smaller scale, with focus shifted from birds to their nests and eggs, his journals show that he began to use his gun more for securing dinner than for data collection. He started to bring field glasses (binoculars) and a boxy Kodak camera on his excursions.

Setting up photographs in the field was challenging. Sometimes a bit of prep work helped, such as thinning the foliage in backcountry areas: “I spent the day ashore taking a walk through the wood road in the forenoon with camera & hatchet selecting & cutting out spots for photographing later.” (Sunshine, Deer Island, Maine. June 26, 1896.)

Opportunistic shots of live animals were even trickier, but once in a while he managed to get some good shots. 

Porcupine

Sepia-toned photo of a porcupine on a tree branch.

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Notes from the Hassler archives: Carnival in Rio

[This post is part of a series on the archives of the 1871-1872 Hassler expedition, written by Bruno Costelini, Science without Borders intern at the Ernst Mayr Library]

After being prevented from going onshore in Recife due to a yellow fever outbreak in the city, one could expect that the Hassler party would be anxious to step on land as soon as they arrived in Rio de Janeiro, on January 23rd 1872. However, they seemed to rejoice under the ship’s awning, which provided shelter from the blistering heat, and spent time observing the scenery as Blake sketched on his journal:

 

The entrance of the harbor we arrived at about 8 o’clock and I confess I am far from being able to do them justice by any description., but on either side are the lofty mountains which are very picturesque and grand. The Noted Sugar Loaf [which as the story goes only one man has ever climbed, he an American sailor who planted the Union Jack there] is situated on the left hand side a very steep rock, almost perpendicular and doe to the water, on the western side is a ridge of hills about half as high, extending against the back of it.

 

View of Rio
"View of Rio de Janeiro, from the Hassler Scrapbook"

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Notes from William Brewster: Summer Thrushes

This post is part of a series on the collection of ornithologist William Brewster (1851-1919) at the Ernst Mayr Library, written by Elizabeth Meyer, library project assistant.

William Brewster’s summertime journals are filled with birdsong: he noted which species were singing, when, and, to the best of his ability, what those songs sounded like. This left us some beautiful nature writing that also provides some insight on the scientist's emotional connection to his work and study sites. Here are two passages...

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Digging into the personal writings of a 19th century ornithologist

This post is part of a series on the collection of ornithologist William Brewster (1851-1919) at the Ernst Mayr Library, written by Elizabeth Meyer, Library Project Assistant. It is also published on the Biodiversity Heritage Library blog.

Tuesday, June 12, 1866 
A.M. pleasant P.M. cloudy. Studied part of P.M. Went to circus in evening & saw a...

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BHL Update - June 2016

As of the end of June, 2016, the Ernst Mayr Library has digitized and contributed over 9300 volumes (3,162,725 pages) to the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL). Contained within these pages are 11,966,599 instances of indexed species names. Since the first volumes were uploaded to BHL in December, 2007, Ernst Mayr Library items have been accessed a total of 7,040,287 times. Monthly usage now consistently exceeds 100,000 downloads with June, 2016 showing a total of 171,499...

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Notes from the Hassler archives: On tropical waters

[This post is part of a series on the archives of the 1871-1872 Hassler expedition, written by Bruno Costelini, Science without Borders intern at the Ernst Mayr Library]

As the year of 1871 was drawing to a close the Hassler steamed its way off the U.S. coast on through Caribbean waters, where the first dredging efforts were to be made. A stop by St. Thomas (one of the Virgin Islands, then a Danish colony) left the members of the expedition impressed not only with its natural beauty but also with the different customs of these first foreign peoples they encountered, as they managed to find the fish market fully operating on a Sunday:

Sunday is very little regarded here although there are a number of very small churches of different denominations. Regard for the Sabbath is much greater now than it was before the late earthquakes the people having been very much frightened at the time thinking it was their punishment. Groups were seen on any places during the earthquake singing hymns, and offering prayer.

St. Thomas harbor
“View of St. Thomas harbor with the Hassler on the left”

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