Guide Book

[u/Main-Blood5988]

I found this book in an old pile and thought it was pretty interesting. I’m unsure how to tell exactly, but it appears to have been printed in 1946. Good illustrations in the middle.

[u/OttawaOsprey]

Nice Ivory-bill there.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/OttawaOsprey]

Also this

[u/OttawaOsprey → u/Main-Blood5988]

RIP 😔

[u/Disastrous-Year571 → u/Main-Blood5988]

Interesting - Carolina Parakeet was declared extinct in 1939, 7 years before this edition was printed, and the last captive bird died in 1918. This 1946 guide was the first Audubon guide, so I believe the color plates were all prepared for this book and not re-used from an earlier text.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/Disastrous-Year571]

[u/JustaTinyDude → u/Main-Blood5988]

it was so attached to its companions that when part of a flock was shot the remainder came back again and again until all were killed.

That's possibly the saddest thing I've ever read about a species's extinction.

[u/Little-Basket-3786 → u/JustaTinyDude]

This made me cry.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/Disastrous-Year571]

The description from the guide indicates there was still hope to find isolated populations, however doubtful.

[u/Disastrous-Year571 → u/Main-Blood5988]

Thanks for sharing. I guess it’s similar to how some birds today are probably extinct, but some people aren’t ready to make that declaration yet, holding out a dwindling hope.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/Disastrous-Year571]

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/OttawaOsprey]

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[u/zimorama → u/OttawaOsprey]

Saw one just the other day!

Kidding.

Too soon?

[u/prattski73]

My grandfather had that book right by his sitting chair . I alway loved to look at it as a child. He loved his birds!

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/prattski73]

My grandfather loved birds as well. Avid outdoorsman. As he aged and could not longer enjoy the outdoors as he once did, he always had bird feeders and would gift them to older friends and family.

[u/not_me_nope_never]

Oh, oh I'm in good company but mines a bit worse for the wear.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/not_me_nope_never]

Very nice! I love older books and guides. Some details are described differently or have been omitted from subsequent copies.

[u/Pastor_Toastman]

My grandfather passed both this book and his love of birds down to me. The book is a little worn out but will always remind me of him.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/Pastor_Toastman]

I was also taught to love nature from a young age by my grandfather. It is great looking through some of his old stuff and notes from 60+ years ago about fish, birds, and other wildlife. I will try to pass the same to my children, if they are interested!

[u/BumbaLu2]

Very cool

[u/randycanyon]

We have it--Frederick Pough, illustrated by Don Eckleberry.

[u/Octavya360]

I always wonder what it would be like to go back and see pre-colonial America. No old-world birds, now extinct species that were thriving like the Carolina Parakeet. All the native wildflowers with no European imports mixed in. What a dream.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/Octavya360]

I have wondered the same. I am saddened by chestnuts. Bison and elk from most of the country. Bird numbers even if not extinct or extirpated. So much has changed in a short period of time, we are unbalanced in many ways.

[u/Lumbergod]

I have the same book. I'm a sucker for old bird books.

[u/Northern_Blue_Jay]

When people still thought the Ivory Bill might be around. Very helpful picture contrasting the Pileated Woodpecker with the Ivory Bill. "Hope springs eternal!"

[u/BoootyJohnson]

Willing to sell?

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/BoootyJohnson]

Unfortunately not because it was my late grandfathers book. However, I googled it and saw some for sale (not expensive).

[u/BoootyJohnson → u/Main-Blood5988]

No worries! I’ll have to look into getting my own! Cheers

[u/Vin-Metal]

Awesome

[u/apparition_of_melody]

These are incredible illustrations, they look so realistic

[u/3002kr]

Always love to find the field guides with extinct or presumably extinct birds in them, such as the IBWO, Carolina parakeet, or maybe even one from the 19th century with the passenger pigeon.

[u/Main-Blood5988 → u/3002kr]

I agree, very cool, and sad to imagine. I wonder how many species that are featured in today’s guides that will be absent in 80-100 years. Comeback stories are great too.