Diary II: ornithological and other natural history notes, May 1878 to December 3 1878, Saint Michaels, Alaska Search this
Collection name:
Edward William Nelson and Edward Alphonso Goldman Collection, circa 1873-1946 and undated
Physical Description:
1 field book
Physical Location:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Sublocation:
Box 11 Folder 3
Record type:
Fieldbook record
Object Type:
Field notes
Diary
Place:
United States
Alaska
Saint Michael
Stebbins
Date Range:
1878
Start Date:
18780501
End Date:
18781203
Abstract:
This field book documents Nelson's bird collecting activities in Alaska between 1 May to 3 December 1878. During this time, Nelson was on general assignment in Alaska to study the zoology of the area as well as meteorology, geography, and ethnology. Nelson's entries are narratives of his daily activities and birds he observed or collected, which include but are not limited to swans, ducks, finches, horned larks, plovers, gulls, swallows, geese, cranes, grouse, and warblers. Nelson uses both taxonomic names and common names. Descriptions of landscape are included. Descriptions of weather conditions, occasionally including the temperature are also included. A small sketched map is included in the entry for 16 August. Locations include Saint Michael, Stebbins, Kegiktowik, and other locations. Nelson also visits "crooked canal" (possibly referring to Crooked Creek), "fox creek", and "stewart island".
Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.
