H. T. Gosnell - The Science of Birdnesting

THE SCIENCE OF
BIRDNESTING

Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Etymologically, the word ornithology derives from the ancient Greek ornis (bird) and logos (rationale or explanation). The science of ornithology has a long history and studies on birds have helped develop several key concepts in evolution, behaviour and ecology such as the definition of species, the process of speciation, instinct, learning, ecological niches and conservation. Whilst early ornithology was principally concerned with descriptions and distributions of species, ornithologists today seek answers to very specific questions, often using birds as models to test hypotheses or predictions based on theories. However, most modern biological theories apply across taxonomic groups, and consequently, the number of professional scientists who identify themselves as ornithologists has declined. That this specific science has become part of the biological mainstream though, is in itself a testament to the fields importance.

Humans observed birds from the earliest times, and Stone Age drawings are among the oldest indications of an interest in birds, primarily due to their importance as a food source. One of the first key texts on ornithology was Aristotles Historia Animalium (350 BC), in which he noted the habit of bird migration, moulting, egg laying and life span. He also propagated several, unfortunately false myths, such as the idea that swallows hibernated in winter. This idea became so well established, that even as late as 1878, Elliott Coues (an American surgeon, historian and ornithologist) could list as many as 182 contemporary publications dealing with the hibernation of swallows. In the Seventeenth century, Francis Willughby (16351672) and John Ray (16271705) came up with the first major system of bird classification that was based on function and morphology rather than on form or behaviour, this was a major breakthrough in terms of scientific thought, and Willughby's Ornithologiae libri tres (1676), completed by John Ray is often thought to mark the beginning of methodical ornithology. It was not until the Victorian era though, with the emergence of the gun and the concept of natural history, that ornithology emerged as a specialized science. This specialization led to the formation in Britain of the British Ornithologists Union in 1858, and the following year, its journal The Ibis was founded.

This sudden spurt in ornithology was also due in part to colonialism. The bird collectors of the Victorian era observed the variations in bird forms and habits across geographic regions, noting local specialization and variation in widespread species. The collections of museums and private collectors grew with contributions from various parts of the world. This spread of the science meant that many amateurs became interested in bird watching with real possibilities to contribute knowledge. As early as 1916, Julian Huxley wrote a two part article in the Auk, noting the tensions between amateurs and professionals and suggesting that the vast army of bird-lovers and bird-watchers could begin providing the data scientists needed to address the fundamental problems of biology. Organizations were started in many countries and these grew rapidly in membership, most notable among them being the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), founded in 1889 in Britain and the Audubon Society, founded in 1885 in the US.

Today, the science of ornithology is thriving, with many practical and economic applications such as the management of birds in food production (grainivorous birds, such as the Red billed Quelea are a major agricultural pest in parts of Africa), and the study of birds, as carriers of human diseases, such as Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and H5N1. Of course, many species of birds have been driven to (or near) extinction by human activities, and hence ornithology has played an important part in conservation, utilising many location specific approaches. Critically endangered species such as the California Condor have been captured and bred in captivity, and it is hoped that many more birds can be saved in a like manner.

By

Major H. T. GOSNELL

Member of the British Ornithologists Union.
Member of the Jourdain Society, formerly the British Oological Society.

Since this book was started, two events have occurred which have had a profound effect on bird-life, chiefly in Southern England.

1. The great frosts of winters 1939/40 and early 1947.

2. The Second World War.

Dartford Warblers and Stonechats were obliterated by the former in Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey and have been prevented from re-establishing themselves from the West by the almost total destruction of our beautiful Commons by Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

I returned from six years War Service to find these changes, which include the felling of nearly all pine trees of any size.

Where the words never and always, are used, it must be understood that these are the result of my own observation and must not be regarded as infallible. Also I have not quoted knowingly the opinions of other ornithologists except where recognition has been given.

I wish to record my gratitude to my wife for all her assistance, and to my friends for the loan of their photographs.

I have frequently been asked by boys interested in the study of our breeding birds, how to find the nest of such-and-such a bird. so that I have attempted to try and answer them in this little book.

The list of species is purposely incomplete: common hedge-row birds have been omitted, also rare ones, and birds that breed in colonies or on our sea cliffs, for obvious reasons; and in the interests of economy, in order that the price of this book may be within the reach of boys pockets. Lengthy descriptions of the birds themselves have been avoided, and only brief aids to identification in the field given, as these can be studied more fully in numerous excellent works such as The British Bird Book by Kirkman and Jourdain, to mention one which stands out as unsurpassed in value.

The subject as treated herein is intended as a guide to the technique of nest-finding, and to be an encouragement to the individual to work out a system for himself.

H. T. GOSNELL,

THE BOREEN,

HEADLEY DOWN,

BORDON, HANTS.

THERE are two main reasons for collecting the eggs of wild birds. First, to show the variation in colouring, etc., of each species. Second, to use the egg of the parent bird as a means of tracing it throughout its life.

This range of variation in some species is extraordinary, and it is quite impossible to show a fair sample of their eggs by only a few specimens. Others, like the birds laying white eggs, vary not at all, and one set or so is all that is required. Amongst the eggs of those birds that have but little variation, the same applies, only a single clutch should be taken, and search for really fine specimens concentrated on.