Great Nebraska
Naturalists and ScientistsNebraska Ornithologists’ Union
Letters, 1905, June
1905, June 1
Lincoln, Nebr., June 1, 1905.
Miss Agnes M. Dawson, 3510 Jackson St. Omaha, Nebr.,
Dear Madam:- I have your interesting epistle of the 27th instant in which you safely land Mr. Swenk from the dizzy heights to the depths below by means of a grape vine. We certainly had a very pleasant time and a profitable trip although the list of birds was not as large as it might have been with a party of two or three. We are always pleased to add new devotees to Ornithology and to have the knowledge of seventy or more such students in a single locality certainly brings pleasure to us. I have just received a note from E. Wallace’s brother, B.S. Wallace, who writes that some of the teachers in Omaha wish to secure birds for scientific study and have asked to obtain them from him. Do you know anything about the matter and whether or not the specimens are to be preserved in the schools or city library. Mr. Wallace has asked me to nd him a permit from the Game Warden for taking such specimens, and as the law is quite explicit in this matter, I wish to learn something definite from the teachers side. E. Wallace always had such a permit but at present he is not in Omaha. Please write me as soon as possible concerning this matter. Yours very truly,
1905, June 1 (2)
Lincoln, Nebr., June 1, 1905.
S. B. Higgins, Rushville, Nebr.
My Dear Sir:- Your of recent date received and contents noted. I am sorry that the Nebraska Birds was not exactly satisfactory to you but it was impossible for use to make a book of the size that would contain everything in the way of distribution, life history, nesting, etc. that might be desired in bird study. Of course if you had the bird in hand, you would see that it is does not belong to the oriole family and so could not be a bobolink. On the other hand you would at once find that it was a sparrow. The name of your particular bird is the lark bunting or as sometimes called, the White winged blackbird. It is a common bird of the plains and its song habits which only partly resemble those of the bobolink together with the black and white markings are the only things that would suggest the bobolink. I wish also to thank you for your answers to my questions concerning the Ox warbis. Yours very truly,
1905, June 2
JUN 5, Ans’d
3510 Jackson St., Omaha 6/2, 1905.
Dear Prof. Bruner: Your letter of June 1 is received this evening. With regard to teachers wishing to secure birds for scientific study, it is true that occasional ones of us have sometimes rented a few birds that the Wallaces had on hand in order to place them before our classes in school as aids in Nature lessons and to help children to “Know birds”
“scientific study” on the part of the teachers as far as I know. I thank you Prof. Bruner, for the fine course of Lectures you gave here a few years ago which put me in this way of studying Birds – a subject in which I have always been interested. Most sincerely Agnes M. Dawson 3510 Jackson St. Omaha
1905, June 2
Nebraska Public Library Commission Lincoln
J. I. Wyer, Jr., President E. Benjamin Andrews Chancellor of the University of Nebraska J. L. McBrien State Superintendent of Public Instruction H. C. Lindsay, State Librarian F. L. Haller, Omaha Public Library Edna D. Bullock, Secretary
JUN 5 Ans’d
2 Je. 1905.
Prof. Lawrence Bruner, City. Dear Prof. Bruner:- I should like to get five copies of the publication describing the birds of Nebraska. I wish to use them in the traveling libraries. Kindly make out the bill to this Commission. Very truly, Edna W. Bullock Sec’y
1905, June 5
Lincoln, Nebr., June 5, 1905.
R. Sabine, Omaha, Nebr.
My Dear Sir:- I am sending you herewith a permit for taking specimens of game, fish, song and insectivorous or other birds and have your name recorded as a collector of the University, since it is according to law that such persons having permits be connected with some educational institution. Of course, if you can secure any especially valuable specimen we would like to have them to deposit in the record collection of either the University or the Nebraska Ornithologist’s Union. We would also expect to have the benefit of any records made in connection with your field work. Yours very truly,
1905, June 5
Walnut Hill School Omaha. June 5, 1905
Prof. Lawrence Bruner, Univ. of Nebr., Lincoln
My dear Sir: Robert Limbert was a pupil of my school, graduating from our Eight grade a few years ago. He has always been a great lover and student of Nature, especially of birds. He has asked me to write you concerning a license. I do not know the conditions or restrictions of the law but I am sure he would never abuse any privilege thus granting him. If consistent with the law, I am glad to do all I can to help a boy who is so in earnest in his work as Robert to get such help. Very truly, Martha L. Powell Prin.
1905, June
Fourth International Ornithological Congress, London, June 12th to 17th, 1905
Sir, The Organising Committee has the honour to invite you to attend the Fourth International Ornithological Congress, which will be held in London this year, under the presidency of Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, of the British Museum (Natural History), as was decided during the last Congress at Paris in 1900.
The Congress will be held from the 12th to 17th of June, inclusive, and arrangements are being made for Excursions during the following week.
The price of Subscription for Membership has been fixed at 1 pound (= 20 Mks. = 25 frs.), and all Members will receive a copy of the published proceedings of the Congress. Ladies may be admitted as Members on the same terms, or they may participate in all the privileges of Membership, but without receiving the printed report, on payment of 10s. (= 10 Mks. = 12 frs. 50 cents.).
Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer (Mr. C. E. Fagan, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London, S.W.), or they may be paid at the commencement of the Congress, but in the latter case you are requested to send notice of your intention to be present to one of the Secretaries.
Members intending to read papers are requested to communicate particulars of the same as soon as possible to one of the Secretaries.
(I.) Systematic Ornithology, Geographical Distribution, Anatomy and Palæontology; (II.) Migration; (III.) Biology, Nidification, Oology; (IV.) Economic Ornithology and Bird Protection; (V.) Aviculture.
It is expected that many interesting papers on these various subjects will be forthcoming.
Yours faithfully, Ernst J. O. Hartert, J. Lewis Bonhote (Joint Secretaries.)
PATRON. H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, K.G.
Honorary Presidents. H.R.H. Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria. Alfred Russel Wallace, D. C. L., LL.D., F.R.S.
President-Elect. R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D., Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, S.W.
Treasurer. C. E. Fagan, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, S.W.
Secretaries. Ernst J. O. Hartert, Ph.D., Tring, Herts. England. J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A., Ditton Hall, Fen Ditton, Dambs., England.
Organising Committee. President Treasurer Secretaries ex-officio. F. Du Cane Godman, D.C.L., F.R.S. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo.
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. F. Penrose, M.D. Hon. Walter Rothschild, Ph.D., M.P. P. L. Sclater, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S. H. F. Witherby.
General Committee. Great Britain and ireland. The Right Hon. Lord Avebury, P.C., F.R.S. Captain G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton. Richard M. Barrington, LL.D. His Grace the Duke of Bedford, President of the Zoological Society. Edward Bidwell.
Great Britain and Ireland—continued. W. T. Blanford, F.R.S., LL.D. Sir Walter Lawry Buller, Sc.D., F.R.S. A. G. Butler. H. E. Dresser. W. Eagle Clarke. A. H. EVans, M.A. Col. H. W. Feilden
Great Britain and Ireland—continued H. O. Forbes, LL.D. Hans Gadow, Ph.D., F.R.S. Lt.-Col. Godwin-Austen, F.R.S. Albert Gunther, M.D., F.R.S. J. H. Gurney. J. E. Harting. John Harvie-Brown. A. O. Hume. Sir H. H. Johnstone, G.C.M.G., K.C.B. The Right Hon. Sir Herbert E. Maxwell, Bt., F.R.S., M.P. John Guille Millais. P. Chalmers Mitchell, M.A., D.Sc., Secretary to the Zoological Society of London. J. Henry Pearson. W. P. Pycraft. W. H. St. Quointin. The Hon. N. C. Rothschild, M.A. Howard Saunders, Secretary to the British Ornithologists’ Union. D. Seth-Smith. Capt. G. E. Shelley. W. B. Tegetmeier. Archibald Thorburn. The Rev. H. B. Tristram, LL.D., F.R.S., Canon of DurhamLord Walsingham, LL.D., F.R.S. Joseph I. S. Whitaker. Lt.-Col. Wardlaw-Ramsay. W. E. De Winton.
Australia. Alfred North. Charles W. De Vis. Dudley Le Sonef.
Austria-Hungary. Carl Hellmayr. Dr. Lorenz Ritter von Liburnau. Otto Herman. Dr. Julius von Madarasz. Othmar Reiser. Victor Ritter von Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen.
Belgium. Dr. Alphonse Dubois.
Borneo. Charles Hose, D.Sc.
Brazil. Dr. Emil A. Goeldi Dr. Herman von Ihering.
Bulgaria. Dr. Paul Leverkuhn, Hofrat
Canada. J. H. Fleming.
Canary Islands. Don Anatael Cabrera y Diaz.
Cape Colony. W. L. Sclater, M. A.
China. C. B. Rickett F. W. Styan. J. D. D. La Touche.
Denmark. Herluf Winge. Dr. Knud Andersen.
Egypt. Capt. Stanley S. Flower.
France. M. J. de Claybrooke. Baron Jules de Guerne. M. le docteur Remy Saint-Loup. M. le docteur Emile Oustalet. M. le docteur Louis Bureau.
Germany. Graf Hans von Berlepsch. Freiherr Hans von Berlepsch. Geheimrat Prof. Dr. Rud. Blasius. Geheimrat Prof. Dr. Wilh Blasius. Prof. Dr. Jean Cabanis Dr. Otto Finsch. Prof. Dr. Anton Reichenow. Herman Schalow.
Greece. Dr. Th. Kruper.
India. E. C. Stuart Baker.
Italy. Conte E. Arrigoni degli Oddi. Dr. H. H. Giglioli. Dr. Giacinto Martorelli. Conte Tommaso Salvadori, M. D.
Japan. Dr. Isao Ijima.
Java. Max Bartels.
Norway. Prof. R. Collett.
Portugal. Prof. J. V. Barboza Du Bocage.
Russia. Dr. Valentin Bianchi. S. A. Buturlin.
Russia—continued. Professor Dr. M. Menzbier. Harald Baron Loudon. Dr. A. Palmen. Dr. P. Suschkin.
Spain. Don Salvador Castello y Cabreras. Prof. Don Martinez-Gomez.
Sweden. Prof. Dr. Einar Lonnberg. Prof. Dr. Yngve Sjostedt.
Switzerland. Prof. Dr. Victor Fatio. Prof. Dr. Studer.
United States of America. Joel Asaph Allen, Ph. D. F. M. Chapman. D. G. Elliot. Chas. W. Richmond. Robert Ridgway. Leonhard Stejneger.
1905, June 16
M. E. Smith & Company, Incorporated
Arthur C. Smith, Pres. Ward M. Burgess, Vice-Pres. F. M. Smith, Sec. and Treas.
Dry Goods, Notions, Furnishing Goods, Duck Clothing Manufacturers, Importers, and Jobbers
11th and Howard Streets. Jun 23 Ans’d
Omaha, Neb., 6-16 1905
Rob’t H. Wolcott Lincoln Neb. Dear Sir I being interested in Ornithology and am making a scientific study or fame. I write you to-day to ask you the favor of assisting me in getting a Permit from the State game Warden for collecting specimens of birds for scientific purposes, if you remember in 1900 you wrote me you wished to examine my collection and I wrote you and you came out to my house and looked them over you remember I had most of the Skow Collection and many of the specimens were of my own collection of scientific skins, so from seeing them you can tell if they are got up in a scientific manner. I only wish to collect
Arthur C. Smith, Pres. Ward M. Burgess, Vice-Pres. F. M. Smith, Sec. and Treas.
Dry Goods, Notions, Furnishing Goods, Duck Clothing Manufacturers, Importers, and Jobbers
11th and Howard Streets. Jun 23 Ans’d
Omaha, Neb.,
these for studying the work and thoroughly acquainting myself with the birds. You may be do not remember me, as I only met you the day you were at the house, and 2 or three times at the meetings of the Nebraska Ornithologist Union. Can refer you to I. S. Trostler Skow, Wallace or any of our Ornithologists here, hoping to hear from you soon and thanking you in advance I remain Yours truly L. R. Sabine c/o M. E. Smith & Co. Omaha Neb.
Dear Prof. Bruner- This may be used as a basis for getting hold of Skow’s skins or the most valuable of them. I refer Sabine to you & have written him that if you secure a permit it would be with the understanding that he represented the Univ. & you would probably expect him to collect for us. I
June 22, ’05
1905, June 21
June 21 1905. Prof., Lawrence Bruner. Uni. of Nebr. Lincoln, Nebr.
Dear Sir:- Submitting my request for state permit to take specimens of song & insectivorous birds to be used for scientific purposes. I herewith enclose for your inspection, testimonials written by reputable citizens all of whom I am glad to say are pleased to vouch for me in justly execuiting the good offices of the said permit. I have worked for some months past for Mr Wallace,
1905, June 23
Lincoln, Nebr., June 23, 1905.
Robt. W. Limbert, 4032 Decatur St., Omaha, Nebr.
My Dear Sir:- I have your favor of the 21st instant with reference to your securing a state permit for taking specimens of song, insectivorous and other birds for scientific purposes. In reply I will say that I will confer with the game warden concerning the matter and if he dicides to issue the permit will have him do so at once and forward the same to you. Of course you understand that the law requires that persons receiving such permits are to be credited collectors for some educational institutions- a college or university, and that under these restrictions great care must be taken to avoid unnecessary killing of birds. A report of all birds killed during the year must be made to the game warden. If this permit is issued I shall ask that it be as a credited collector of the University of Nebraska. Yours very truly,
1905, June 23 (2)
Lincoln, Nebr., June 23, 1905.
L. R. Sabine, % M. E. Smith & Co., Omaha, Nebr.
Dear Sir:- Your favor of the 10th instant addressed to Prof. R. H. Wolcott has been forwarded to him at Columbia Mo. and from there was sent to me with his approval. Before asking the game warden to issue this permit I would like to ask a few questions. Could you not get your permit in connection with the Omaha High School or the Omaha Library. We have already one accredited University man in Omaha and as the law in the case is very explicit about the issuance of such permits to only such persons as are connected with colleges it might be more difficult to secure the permit if it were taken out in connection with the University than it would be if issued to you as a representative of some Omaha
institution. However, if you prefer that the permit be issued under the auspices of the University I will see what can be done. Yours very truly.
1905, June 27
Lincoln, Nebr., June 27, 1905.
Robert W. Limbert, Omaha, Nebr.
My Dear Sir:- I am sending you herewith a permit for taking specimens of game, fish, song and insectivorous or other birds and have your name recorded as a collector of the University, since it is necessary according to law that such persons having such permits be connected with some educational institution. Of course, if you can secure any especially valuable specimens we would like to have them to deposit in the record collection of either the University or the Nebraska Ornithologist’s Union. We would also expect to have the benefit of any records made in connection with your field work. Yours very truly,
1905, June 27
Arthur C. Smith, President Ward M. Burgess, Vice-Pres. F. M. Smith, Secr. and Treas.
M. E. Smith & Company [Incorporated] Wholesale Dry Goods
Omaha, Neb., 6-27 1905
Prof. Lawrence Bruner c/o State University Lincoln Neb.
My dear Sir:- Your favor of June 23. at hand and I note what you say in regard to the permit. I received a letter from Prof. Wolcott in regard to same saying and he had submitted my request to you. I wrote Prof. Wolcott as he was the only one connected with the university I knew. Personally, I knew you had charge of such work in the University and often heard Skow, Wallace, and Trostler speak of you, but I never had the pleasure of meeting you, and as I am a perfect stranger to you I did not quite have nerve enough to write you and ask for such a favor. Prof. Wolcott said in his letter that you might feel like urging
M. E. Smith & Company [Incorporated] Wholesale Dry Goods
Omaha, Neb., 6-27 1905 that I do a little collecting for your museum at the University, this I would gladly do for you if agreeable to you, of course I cannot do a great deal of collecting as I am regularly employed here with M. E. Smith & Co as a salesman and my time for collecting is not very much being limited to odd days now and then every little while but however if you wish I will do what I can for you. You ask if I could not get my permit through the Omaha High School or Library and in explanation would say that at the High School which I left some 8 or 9 years ago I only knew Miss Dinturff she was Interested in the Ornithology branch of the High School when I was there but I do not know
M. E. Smith & Company [Incorporated] Wholesale Dry Goods
Omaha, Neb., 6-27 1905 where she can be found now and anyway she has probably forgotten me by this time. In regards to the Library I am not acquainted with any of the board and do not feel like asking through them. If you can secure for me the permit in question the favor will be greatly appreciated and you can rest assured that the privledges of same will not be abused. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain Yours truly L. R. Sabine
1905, June 29
Lincoln, Nebr., June 29, 1905.
L. R. Sabine, Omaha, Nebr., % M. E. Smith & Co.
My Dear Sir:- Your favor of the 27th instant concerning permit for taking specimens of birds, etc for scientific purposes, at hand. I am asking the game warden to issue this permit to you in the name of the University of Nebraska since only as stated before schools and colleges are permitted to have collecting done. As soon as your permit is issued I will mail the same to you. Yours very truly,
1905, June 29 (2)
Lincoln, Nebr., June 29, 1905.
Gen. L. Carter Chief Deputy Game Warden, City.
My Dear Sir:- Please issue a scientific permit to L. R. Sabine of Omaha as a representative of the University of Nebraska. Send the same to me along with bill and I will forward it to Mr. Sabine. I would also like to have several copies of the recent game laws to send to each of the accredited University collectors as well as some to retain here at the office. Yours very truly,
1905, June 30
Jul 1 Ans’d
Omaha, Nebr June 30 1905.
Prof Lawrence Bruner, Lincoln, Nebr. Dear Sir:- Received permit yesterday and I thank you very much for helping me to get the same. If I succeed in taking any valuable specimens I should be glad to send them to the University. Yours very truly. Robt W. Lambert, 4032 Decatur Pl. Omaha, Nebr.