Palmer, 5/17/2018 T.S. (Theodore Sherman) Palmer Photograph Collection: Finding Aid 8 https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf2j49n5n5/ OAC No online items Request items T Online Archive of California T.S. (Theodore Sherman) Palmer Photograph Collection: Finding Aid Processed by Kate McGinn; finding aid updated by Diann Benti in 2014. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Photo Archives 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2191 Email: reference@huntington.org URL: http://www.huntington.org © May 26, 1999 The Huntington Library. All rights reserved. Overview of the Collection Title: T.S. (Theodore Sherman) Palmer Photograph Collection Dates (inclusive): 1849-1954 Collection Number: photCL 416 Creator: Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman) Extent: 90 photographs (87 photographs and 3 lantern slides) in 2 boxes + lantern slide box Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Photo Archives 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2191 Email: reference@huntington.org URL: http://www.huntington.org Abstract: This collection contains 87 card photographs and 3 lantern slides taken between January and September 891 during a United States Department of Agriculture scientific expedition led by T.S. Palmer from Death Valley, California, to Mt. Whitney to collect flora and tauna. The collection includes photographs of Death Valley, as well as the Antelope Valley, Owens Valley, and San Joaquin Valley. Language: English. Access GBD Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services. Administrative Information Publication Rights The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], T.S. (Theodore Sherman) Palmer Photograph Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Provenance Gift of Mrs. Theodore S. Palmer, the widow of T.S. Palmer, on December 14, 1955. Mrs. Palmer also donated Palmer's papers, including his 1891 expedition diary and family correspondence (housed in the Manuscripts Department) and ephemera materials (now part of the California Promotional Literature Collection). Processing Information The collection was previously housed in a subject file but has since been catalogued into a discrete collection. Old call numbers are on file with the curator of photographs. 5/17/2018 Theodore Sherman Palmer - Wikipedia WIKIPEDIA Theodore Sherman Palmer Theodore Sherman Palmer (January 26, 1868 - July 24, 1955) was an American zoologist. Palmer was born in Oakland, California and studied at the University of California. In 1889 he joined the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy of the United States Department of Agriculture under Clinton Hart Merriam. In 1891 he was a member of the 1891 Death Valley Expedition and its leader for its first 3 months. He was Assistant Chief of the Department from 1896 to 1902, and then from 1910 to 1914. He became interested in the legislation affecting wildlife, leading a branch of the organization to deal with it from 1902 to 1910 and from 1914 to 1916. He wrote the preliminary draft of the treaty for protection of birds migrating Theodore Sherman Palmer. between Canada and the United States (1916), and was Chairman of the Committee which prepared the first regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918). He retired in 1933. Palmer was a member of about 25 North American and 4 foreign scientific or conservation organizations. He was vice-president of the American Society of Mammalogists from 1928 to 1934, and a co-founder of the National Audubon Society. Palmer is commemorated in the scientific names of two North American lizards, Uta palmeri and Elgaria coerulea palmeri. [1] He was the great-great-great grandson of American founding father Roger Sherman. See also T.S. Palmer's article in natural a Wild-Life "Washington GPO, 1917-4 Nature he carvedrocks, has hollowed net coverus, ad has developed resochable tspecf p.4 put t and life adapted, for paticular conditions. Th fact that such ry eat are properly movements un reagrend not a hundred years yo the celebrated troveln alexorder vm Husbalt the as natural monumets. So it a be appear to ay - baterical, evological Here arther th Antiguties let P-6 Discussed 3 tyfer of natural moventry includ Leen dellests as an wild left protective 1-20 * secure at th Natural Peels Conference at D.C. 1/4/17 Addren B T.S.P. Pahley By NPS. In Story of Acadia National Park, Dorr (page 27) first introduces the name of Dr. T.S. palmer, "experienced legislative contact agent of the Biological Survey, Dept. of Ag, "was an old friend of Dr. Forbush," who helped Dorr and Frank Bond to enlist help from Palmer. Unrivaled in his familiarity with "all matters relating to Wild Life," said that he could see how valuable such protection would be for bird life on the eastern coast. Yet congress is already loaded up with "bills for the establishment of National Parks the country over "and most of them ought not to pass. [But] you ask for no appropriation "and are offer something that is really valuable. Date ? spring 1913. Palmer then told Dorr of the National Monuments Act [which] so exactly fitted our case." Note: Dorr presents this incident as a case where he and the other Trustees are ignorant of the Antiquities Act seven years after its enactment. This seems so implausible. Perhaps I should have the entire Eliot Papers file at Harvard on Hetch Hetchy copied to see when this very recent decision came to Eliot's attention. May 20, 2018 Palmers 1917 article in Chrone 1917. Keep ! V. important. File: 1917 Chrono. 5/18/18 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FRANKLIN K. LANE, SECRETARY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEPHEN T. MATHER, DIRECTOR NATIONAL MONUMENTS AS WILD-LIFE SANCTUARIES ADDRESS :: :: By T. S./PALMER Expert in Game Conservation. Biological Survey DELIVERED AT THE NATIONAL PARKS CONFERENCE AT WASHINGTON, D. C., JANUARY 4, 1917 UNITED DEPARTMENT OF THE Note: 6.B Dorr credits author, T. S. Palmer with idea of WASHINGTON using Antiquities GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE Act 1917 Actions L.hean San.nn Bib. 6.31 gift - N Issued October 5, 1912. United States Department of Agriculture, BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY-Circular No. 87. 32 pages HENRY W. HENSHAW, Chief of Bureau. NATIONAL RESERVATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WILD LIFE. u.s By T.V.S. PALMER, Assistant Chief, Biological Surrey. During the past 40 years numerous reservations have been created which directly or incidentally protect wild life. The largest and best known is the Yellowstone National Park, established by act of Congress on March 1, 1872. Although usually considered the first, it is not as old as several lighthouse reservations which in recent years have become important refuges. Since 1872 other national parks have been set aside, military parks have been established on famous battlefields, national monuments have been created for the protection of objects of scientific interest, and bird reservations have been set aside for the protection of breeding grounds of waterfowl and other birds. Some of these reservations, including the military parks and some of the national monuments, although established primarily for other purposes, afford refuges for birds and game. These reservations are under the jurisdiction of five departments of the Government, the Smithsonian Institution, and the District of Columbia.1 Their number, location, area, administration, the author- ity under which they were created, the purpose for which they are maintained, and the species which receive protection within their boundaries are not generally known Inasmuch as information on some of these points is not readily available, the present circular has been prepared to bring together for convenient reference the more important facts regarding the various reservations. Obviously it is impracticable to enter into a description of each of the parks and refuges or the species which occur in them. The most that can be done is to give references to other sources where this information may be obtained. Sixty-six are under the Department of Agriculture, 12 under the Department of the Interior, 9 under the Department of Commerce and Labor 5 under the War Department, under the Navy Department, 1 under the Smithsonian Institution, and 1 under the District of Columbia. 50988°-Cir.87-12-1 Report by T.S. Palmer of the Biological Survey Pp. 208-222. Washington D.C. 220 PROCEEDINGS NATIONAL PARKS CONFERENCE. PROCEEDINGS NATIONAL PARKS CONFERENCE. 221 Jan.2-6 1917 add to the ethnological interest of the monument. On account of its the French explorer Champlain. Recently 5,000 acres adjacent to easy accessibility by automobile or team on the highway between Bar Harbor, including the most rugged parts of the island, have, Phoenix and Tempe, the monument is utilized largely as a picnic through the generosity and public spirit of the Hancock County ground and is visited by several thousand people each year. It was trustees, been dedicated forever to free public use and the purposes of created primarily for the preservation of the giant cactus (Saguaro) wild-life conservation. The historical associations of the locality are and other species of cactuses,1 yuccas, candle bushes, and the peculiar preserved in the name of Sieur de Monts, under whose orders Cham- desert florn characteristic of this region. The giant cactus is a plain sailed when he discovered the island in 1604. The geological favorite nesting place of the elf owl (Micropallas whitneyi) and the objects of interest are preserved in the bold granite cliffs which form gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi), while the clumps of the only mountainous tract thrust prominently out into the sea along other cactuses are the favorite breeding places of the cactus wren this part of the coast. The botanical importance of the region is (Heleodytes brunneicapillus coucsi). Other birds peculiar to this shown by the fact that hills and mountains support on their slopes region are the curious curve-billed thrashers-Bendire's thrasher and in their valleys a diversity of plant life which is said to be (Tonostoma bendirei) and the crissal thrasher (7'. crissale), and greater than can be found in any area of equal size in New England the Arizona woodpecker (Dryobates arizona) Thus the preserva- or in the Eastern States. Mount Desert lies in the highway of bird tion of the flora naturally attracts and preserves an aggregation of migration along the Maine coast, and here converge the lines of mi- desert birds which find among the shrubs and plants suitable nest- grants from the north and east on their way south. Birds from four ing places and an abundance of food. distinct life zones visit the island at some time during the year. Immediately west of Tucson the Carnegie Institution established, Denizens of the Arctic and of the Hudsonian zone in Ungava and in 1903, the desert laboratory of its department of botanical research southern Labrador visit it in winter; species of the Canadian life for the investigation of problems connected with the study of desert zone, which breed in southern Canada and northern New England, plant life. At Phoenix the Government has now established a reser- nest here in summer; and in addition some species from the more vation for the protection on a larger scale of some of the desert species southern Transition or Alleghenian fauna straggle in from the which are the subject of study at Tueson. Three years after the west and south. Such are some of the historic and scientific objects establishment of the desert laboratory the grounds were inclosed by of interest preserved in this new monument created by proclamation a wire fence, and within a few months after the completion of this on July 8, 1916. Here are preserved under most favorable circum- fence a marked difference was reported between the vegetation stances a unique collection of native animals, birds, and plants, which within and without the inclosure, and also a marked increase in the can be enjoyed and studied amid their natural surroundings. number of the smaller animals. This fact is significant in showing The plans of the founders of the reservation contemplate not the importance of preventing grazing animals from having free merely the protection of the wild life of the area, but also its develop- access to the monument. Apparently no complete list of the plants ment under natural conditions, so that some forms now rare may be- has yet been made, but lists both of the plants and birds should be come more abundant and the reservation thus be made more attrac- prepared for the purpose of noting changes in the flora and fauna tive. Here it may be possible to develop a bird sanctuary and feed- and for interesting the general public in the true purpose of the ing stations for birds on the lines of those which have proved SO suc- reservation. While the giant cactus and the yuccas may be the most cessful in Europe. By cultivating native shrubs and plants which conspienous species, they are not necessarily the most interesting, furnish food for birds and thus making the sanctuary more attrac- and the full value of the reservation can only be developed by fur- tive to certain birds which are now rare or which linger only a short nishing information to the general public in concise and popular time during migration it may be possible to induce them to tarry form as to the effect which these dominant types have on other longer and perchance breed within the boundaries of the monument. forms of life and in the whole group of species which characterizes In accessibility, opportunity for experimental work, and as a field the plant and animal life of the desert. for botanical or zoological study Sieur de Monts is unexcelled by any of the other monuments. SIEUR DE MONTS NATIONAL MONUMENT. From the foregoing it may be seen that the much misunderstood Mount Desert Island, a unique and striking landmark on the Maine term monument" has a distinctive place and is in reality descriptive coast, was the first land along the coast to be described and named by of certain kinds of reservations. One has only to consider the Muir 1 Probably nt least one-half of all the species native to Arizona grow within the limits PROCEEDINGS NATIONAL PARKS CONFERENCE. 223 222 PROCEEDINGS NATIONAL PARKS CONFERENCE. In the administration of the national parks, much attention has Woods and Sieur de Monts monuments as sanctuaries established been devoted to rendering the parks accessible and much emphasis on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts for the preservation of redwoods is laid on the number of visitors. In comparison with the expendi- and the northern coniferous trees, respectively, to realize that in re- ture on some of the parks, the amount expended in improving the ality these two reservations are at least monuments of the public accessibility of the national monuments has thus far been insignifi- spirit of private citizens who have dedicated these wonderful tracts cant, but, notwithstanding this fact, four of the monuments above of wild land to the Government for the benefit of all the people. mentioned-the Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, Papago Saguaro, and It is apparent also that there are ample means of protecting the Sieur de Monts-are readily accessible and are visited annually by natural monuments which have been nationalized by proclamation thousands of sight-seers. and placed under the care of the Government, and that on some of the The first three of these reservations are open throughout the year reservations are some highly interesting species which deserve the and Muir Woods, Papago Saguaro, and Sieur de Monts are within protection which can only be afforded by a wild-life sanctuary. Some easy reach of near-by cities. It does not require fl million acres. a kinds of big game occur in even larger numbers than in some of the million dollars, or a group of attractions like those in the Yosemite national parks. Thus in the case of elk, the Mount Olympus National and the Yellowstone to attract a large number of visitors. Muir Monument during the breeding season harbors most of the Olympic Woods, with its 300 acres and a grove of redwoods. has as many elk in existence. Nowhere else, not even in the Mount Rainier Park visitors, in some years, as any of the larger parks, not even except- in the same State, is any considerable herd of these elk to be found. ing the Yellowstone, with its 3,000,000 acres, its famous canyon, The number at the present time, probably about 4,000, is larger than its falls, and its many geysers and hot springs. The number of vis- that of any herd ,f elk outside of the Yellowstone Park region. itors at the Grand Canyon in 1915 was estimated at 100,000, or three In the case of mountain sheep, the records show about 220 sheep times as many as have ever visited the Yosemite or Mount Rainier in the Yellowstone Park, about 400 in the Rocky Mountain Park, and and twice as many as have ever visited the Yellowstone in it single a few hundred in the Glacier Park, while about 1,000 have been season. Even the Papago Saguaro has more visitors than such parks reported in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. Thus the Grand as the Casa Grande Ruins, Sullys Hill, or the Mesa Verde. People Canyon Monument at present not only has more sheep than any one will find objects of interest and means of enjoyment in any of the of the national parks, but possibly as many as there are in all of the reservations which are within easy reach, and since some of the national parks combined. monuments may be made more accessible than some of the parks, No species of big game except the antelope is in greater need of and at less expense, it seems important to develop at once the I'C- protection than the mule deer. Although several of the parks and sources of these reservations for the benefit of the public. reservations, including the Yellowstone, the Rocky Mountain, the Glacier, the Wind Cave, and Sullys Hill National Parks, and the PUBLICITY. National Bison Range, the Wichita game preserve, and the Niobrara More attention should be given to publicity both within and with- Reservation are well adapted for this species, yet not one of these out the reservations-within, by making the points attractive, by refuges has a large number of mule deer at the present time. The number in the Yellowstone Park in 1914 was estimated to be about marking the less prominent objects of interest, not merely with names and signs but with descriptive labels somewhat after the type of 1,100; there are a few hundred in the Rocky Mountain Park, some museum labels; without, by bringing the monument home to the in the Glacier Park, and practically none in the other reservations. individual who can not be brought to the monument. In addition to In the Grand Canyon game preserve, which overlaps the Grand the usual methods of publicity employed in popularizing the national Canyon National Monument, there are said to be several thousand parks, such as illustrated publications, magazine articles, news notes, and many mule deer come down in the winter to the Colorado Na- photographs, moving pictures, railroad advertising, etc., certain tional Monument. While the exact number of these deer in the other methods are necessary to disseminate and popularize the infor- monuments is unknown, it is perhaps not too much to say that the mation regarding some of the smaller and more remote reservations. Grand Canyon game preserve, the Grand Canyon Monument, and the In comparison with the geological work which has been done in Colorado Monument are better stocked than any other reservations some of the parks and the ethnological work which has been under- with this interesting species of deer which is SO characteristic of the taken on some of the ruins in the Southwest, the amount of natural West. 103587°-17-15 July 1956 367 ch-12 IN MEMORIAM: THEODORE SHERMAN PALMER BY W. L. MCATEE ADMITTED to the American Ornithologists' Union at its fifth meeting, in 1888, and elected Fellow in 1901, Doctor Palmer was member or chairman of the Committee on Biography from 1915, and Secretary of the Union for twenty years (1917-1937). He was born at Oakland, California, January 26, 1868, his father being Henry Austin, and his mother Jane Olivia Day, Palmer. In 1886 they moved to Pomona, California, where the father started a bank. He desired that his firstborn follow a business career, which Theodore did in vacations and immediately after graduation from college, but other interests soon prevailed. Among boyhood hobbies were the collecting of stamps and of the eggs and skins of birds. His natural history collections, upon his departure from the state, went to the California Academy of Sciences, where they were destroyed in the catastrophe of 1906. Stamp col- lecting was continued throughout life and his accumulations of 54,000 varieties, with duplicates and associated materials, were presented to the United States National Museum. Considerable time was given by Palmer, as a youth, to an organiza- tion for reading to the blind, but on the whole he paid little attention to social life, or to sports, either before or after entering the University of California, from which he graduated in 1888. In college days he became interested in the altitudinal distribution of the flora and fauna of California mountains. As this was exactly in the field of investigation then being exploited by C. Hart Merriam, Chief of the Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy of the United dup ,5V States Department of Agriculture, it is not surprising that the two men came together and that the recent baccalaureate was appointed Field Agent of that organization in 1889. The fate that shapes men's ends was soon at work. Doctor Merriam had planned an expedition to study the biology of Death Valley and adjacent territory in southern California, and, though he took part in its early phases, he left in response to an invitation from President Benjamin Harrison to act as one of a Bering Sea Commission to study the fur seals and make recommendations for their management. Thus, instead of spending the field season of 1891 in torrid Death Valley, Doctor Merriam went to the frigid Pribilof Islands and left Palmer, one of the younger men of the group, as its leader. While an aura of romance, possibly due to its name, surrounds the Death Valley Expedition, and the participants looked back upon it The Auk, vol. 73 (July (956):367-377. THE AUK, VOL. 73 PLATE 15 Blackstone Studios 54 West 57th Street New York THEODORE SHERMAN PALMER 368 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer Auk Vol. 73 as their great adventure, reporting upon it was disjointed and was never completed. Four of eight authors of chapters in the main published report (North American Fauna, No. 7, 1893) were not on the Expedition; the botany was treated in a Contribution from the National Herbarium; and no general account of the mammals has ever appeared. The Fauna referred to is labelled Part II; and Part I, postponed indefinitely, apparently is represented only by two papers privately printed at Washington by Doctor Palmer in 1952. These are: "Place Names of the Death Valley Region in California and Nevada" (80 pp.), and "Chronology of the Death Valley Region in California, 1849-1949" (25 pp.). These were edited by Doctor Palmer from material supplied by himself, by two historians in the Library of Congress, and by three employes of the Death Valley National Monument. Through the years he collected everything he could find relating to Death Valley-books, maps, manuscripts- doubtless the most complete assemblage of its kind, and this he be- queathed to the Henry E. Huntington Library at San Marino, California. Doctor Palmer was a lifelong, and an ardent, book collector and got together a fine library, particularly rich in sets of scientific period- icals, that filled to over-flowing three rooms in his residence. This was willed to the University of California, with transportation paid from Washington to Berkeley. He not only collected variously but in the end it proved to very good purposes. But to get back to his career: by the year 1892, the reports of the Death Valley Expedition, SO far as they were written at the time, had to be done. The World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago was coming on and the Department of Agriculture prepared exhibits for it on a lavish scale. Most of these were returned after the Fair and housed in a vast, barn-like structure on the Department of Agriculture grounds. Every branch of the Department was represented; the exhibits must be prepared, sent to Chicago, and installed; then after their period of publicity, returned and re-displayed in Washing- ton. The administrative detail necessary to accomplish all this was not to the taste of Chief Merriam and we may be sure that Palmer was assigned a full share of the supervision, thus leading up to his periods of service as Assistant Chief (1896-1902 and 1910-1914). Despite other activities, the early years at Washington gave Palmer opportunity for further education, of which he took advantage to the extent of winning an M.D. degree at Georgetown University. Possibly this was in emulation of Doctors Merriam and Fisher, the entire original scientific staff of the organization, both of them graduates July 1956 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer 369 of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. How- ever that may be, Palmer never practiced medicine and apparently had no idea of doing so. There was pressure on the nascent Biological Survey to make everything look "economic" and Palmer's share in the response was a bulletin on a group of injurious mammals, "The Jack Rabbits of the United States" (1896; revised 1897). By "economic" is meant in relation to agriculture and the word was in the title of the organization from the beginning in 1885 until its designation as the Division of Biological Survey in 1896. Palmer dipped into scientific phases of the work, describing, with E. W. Nelson, five new birds from Mexico in 1894, and contributing some short notes on bird nomenclature and distribution to 'The Auk.' To the most technical series of the Survey's publications-the North American Faunas-he contributed its bulkiest number (23), of almost a thousand pages. This was the "Index Generum Mammalium," which appeared in 1904. The beginning of it was a collection of 250 names turned over to him by Doctor Merriam in 1889. This he increased until in 1902 it numbered around 4,500. Palmer records the great assistance in the work of Miss Thora Stejneger who made three trips to enlarge and verify the compendium in European libraries. It does no harm to draw renewed attention to that collaboration here and to point out that Miss Stejneger, an accomplished linguist, was the sister of Leonhard Stejneger of the National Museum. In my earliest Survey days, I saw her busied with the final stages of the "Index," answering if anyone ever did to what is conceived as a typical maiden lady-and as unobtrusive and quiet as a nun. However, Doctor Palmer's tastes led him away from established lines of the Survey's program, and he specialized in the field of legisla- tion affecting wildlife; developed a branch of the organization to handle it, of which he was leader (1902-1910 and 1914-1916); and with which he was in some way associated during the remainder of his career in the Civil Service. His flair was for compiling and summarizing basic information, and he prepared a number of publications that have never been superseded, as: "Extermination of noxious animals by bounties" (1897); "The danger of introducing noxious animals and birds" (1899); "Hunting licenses: Their history, objects, and limitations" (1904); "Private game preserves and their future in the United States" (1910); and "Chronology and index of the more important events in American game protection, 1776-1911" (1912). Related publications of this fruitful period were: "Bird day in the 370 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer Auk Vol. 73 schools" (1896); "Legislation for the protection of birds other than game birds" (1900); "Laws regulating the transportation and sale of game" (with Henry Oldys, 1900); "A review of economic ornithology in the United States" (1900); "Some benefits the farmer may derive from game protection" (1905); and "Game as a national resource" (1922). Some of these were trail-blazers, the 1899 paper on introductions leading to the Lacey Act of 1900, regulating the importation of noxious animals and prohibiting the transportation in interstate commerce of game killed in violation of local laws. "Bird day in the schools" was a precursor of Audubon Society activities; and directories of officials and organizations concerned with wildlife protection, and digests of game laws, begun in 1901 and done wholly, or participated in, by Doctor Palmer until 1915, are features of Federal conservation work that are continued to this day. Under Doctor Palmer's direction, but at first by his own hand, a comprehensive collection of information on wildlife conservation was assembled in card catalog form, upon which Henry Oldys and R. W. Williams of his Division based valuable publications, and which can still be mined with profit by conservationists who are bibliographically inclined. Administration kept pace with the definition of programs and under Doctor Palmer the work grew until it included inspectors at principal ports of entry and roving agents to aid in enforcing the importation and interstate commerce clauses of the Lacey Act. In this memorial in 'The Auk,' let it not be forgotten that the Biological Survey, as a whole, and specifically its work on the distribution, migration, and economic value of birds, as well as on bird protection, grew out of Committee activities of the American Ornithologists' Union. Quoting now from T. Gilbert Pearson's chapter on "Bird Protection" in "Fifty Years' Progress of American Ornithology 1883-1933," published by the Union in 1933, we learn that: "During the period from 1895 to 1905 the A.O.U. Committee was very active. Five of these years Witmer Stone was the Chairman, the other five William Dutcher occupied this position. During that decade the [A.O.U.] Model Law [for the pro- tection of non-game birds] was adopted by 32 states. Efforts for its enactment were carried on with the constant advice and close cooperation of Theodore S. Palmer Mr. Dutcher, on more than one occasion, wrote: 'I do nothing without first consulting Palmer.' " (p. 201). This campaign among the state legislatures required a great deal of travel at first by Dutcher and Palmer and later by Palmer and Pearson. Not only were songbird protection and the organization July 1956 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer 371 of local Audubon societies advanced, but efforts were made to build machinery to enforce protective laws, as by encouraging the establish- ment of state warden systems, game commissions, and conservation departments. Doctor Palmer was the leading authority in this field, witness the publications previously noted, and his advice was weighty with legislative committees. Some of this work is outlined in Pearson's book, "Adventures in Bird Protection" (1937). With Pearson, Doctor Palmer revived the National Association of State Game and Fish Wardens in 1914, and it has continued in active existence ever since, now being international in scope in the Americas. Through the American Ornithologists' Union, Dr. Palmer became acquainted with George Bird Grinnell who founded an Audubon Society which lived only from 1886 to 1889; and with William Dutcher, main instigator of the Association which later became the National Audubon Society. The first meeting of the Board of Directors of Dutcher's project was held January 30, 1905, and Doctor Palmer was elected Second Vice-President. In 1908 he was advanced to the First Vice-Presidency, in which capacity he served until 1936. He was elected a member of the Board of Directors in 1907, his term to begin in 1908, and he continued on the Board also until 1936-a period of 28 years. At the same time he did not neglect his home area, helping to found the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia in 1897, and serving as its President, 1924-1941. Upon his retirement from that office, he was named President Emeritus and SO remained throughout life. This Association conducted bird classes for teachers in the District of Columbia schools and organized spring bird trips for all interested- activities into which employes of the Biological Survey (including the writer) were regularly drafted. Doctor Palmer directed the indoor, and Professor W. W. Cooke the outdoor, programs. Mr. Irston R. Barnes, now President of the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia, informs me that Doctor Palmer's records pertaining to the Society have been placed in the Washington Public Library. Doctor Palmer summarized in print "Laws for the protection of birds and game in the District of Columbia" in 1901. He followed all District and National conservation legislation, promoting it in public hearings and by personal interviews with Senators and Rep- resentatives. [Congress then, and still, is the legislative body for the District of Columbia.] It is safe to say that he influenced all such legislation from 1900 to 1924 and in some instances was the principal factor. He wrote the preliminary draft of the treaty for 372 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer Auk Vol. 73 protection of birds migrating between Canada and the United States (1916); and was Chairman of the Committee [other members: A. K. Fisher; W. W. Cooke] which prepared the first regulations under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918). He relished such activities and even after retirement he often visited congressional offices in support of measures in which he was interested. This memorial has already made free use of the flashback and an- other is now necessary to bring the bird sanctuary movement into focus. In 1900 the A.O.U. Bird Protection Committee, at the sug- gestion of, and by means of funds provided by, Abbott H. Thayer, began the guarding of colonies of gulls and terns. This led to the sanctuary program of the National Audubon Society and to that of the Federal government through the Biological Survey and its suc- cessor the Fish and Wildlife Service. Pelican Island, Florida, where the birds had been slaughtered by fishermen, was first of the Federal sanctuaries-a consummation of efforts by Frank M. Chapman, William Dutcher, and T. S. Palmer, with essential aid from C. L. Du Bois and Frank Bond of the United 7 Bond States General Land Office. The facts being submitted to President Theodore Roosevelt, he issued an Executive Order (March 14, 1903) setting apart the island "for the use of the Department of Agriculture as a preserve and breeding-grounds for native birds." That established a precedent. Frank M. Miller recommended similar treatment for Louisiana breeding colonies of sea birds. Through Bond's cooperation, it was learned that some of the islands involved were government property; President Roosevelt was again appealed to; and he responded, creating by decree the Breton Island Reservation (October 4, 1904). Bond, a lifelong ornithologist, being Chief Clerk of the General Land Office, was in good position to col- laborate in the refuge program; Doctor Palmer threw in the resources of the Biological Survey; and William Dutcher those of the National Audubon Society; and by 1909, fifteen additional reservations for the protection of birds were made by Executive Order. Some ques- tion arose as to the legality of the method but Congressional approval was given by a law passed in 1906. The Hawaiian Islands Bird Reservation, several large areas of lake and marsh in the public domain, as well as the reservoirs of irrigation projects in western states, were made sanctuaries in the same manner. Whatever happened later, that was the very substantial beginning of the Federal Wildlife Refuge Program, and Doctor Palmer was in the thick of it. He was a man who never seemed hurried, hence with SO large an accomplishment, he must have been highly efficient. July 1956 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer 373 Great as were his interests in the matters thus far discussed, that in the American Ornithologists' Union was greater. As noted in our introductory sentence, he was elected to the Class of Fellows in 1901, but he had already been engaged in business of the Union, serving on the committee which, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., prepared the "Index to the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club 1876-1883 and to The Auk 1884 -1900.' Acknowledgment to Doctor Palmer for assistance in ob- taining full names of authors reveals the biographical interest in people that was manifested by him all his life. He was Chairman of the Committee for continuation of the Index through two decades: 1901-1910 (published 1915) and 1911-1920 (published 1929). The amount of detail required from workers on such indexes (known only to those who have been through the mill) is justified by the usefulness of their products. Doctor Palmer had individual ideas for increasing that utility by providing complete names of authors and by accompanying each of these decennial publications with a Biographical Index, containing references to obituaries printed in 'The Auk' and giving place and date of birth and death of the deceased. When no longer on the Index Committee, Doctor Palmer was largely instrumental in the continuation of the biographical sections and for completing the names of authors. Such assistance is specifically acknowledged in the Indexes for 1921-1930 (H. S. Swarth, 1934) and 1931-1940 (George Willett, 1941). Doctor Palmer was ever interested in keeping up to date the list of deceased members of the A.O.U. and summarizes its history in the "Biographical index and list of deceased members of the American Ornithologists' Union" as follows: "The first list of members of the American Ornithologists' Union appeared in 'The Auk' for 1886 and contained the name of one deceased member. During the next five years names of deceased members were marked merely by an asterisk but in 1892 they were first brought together in a separate list with the dates of death. This arrangement was followed until 1920 and since then the list has been published only at intervals of five years. In 1930, a further change was made by including references to obituary notices thus converting the list into a biographical index. "The last complete list, which appeared in July 1940, contained more than 750 names and references to biographies of about 550 individuals. In 1945 the list included only additions subsequent to 1940. The present list contains 1055 names and references to biographies of 839 individuals." This index is dated 1950 and appears to have been privately printed by Doctor Palmer. It is paged v-xxiii and was distributed with the following note: "Recipients are requested to remove the covers and insert the List in 'The Auk' for 1950, immediately after the intro- 374 Auk McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer Vol. 73 ductory pages following the title page." As Secretary, he was for frequent issue of the list of members and would have had it annually except for the objections of Editors of 'The Auk' to SO much being spent in that, to their minds, barren direction. However, the list of members is a very useful thing, and in this writer's opinion should be published at no longer than five-year intervals. From his experi- ence as Treasurer (1920-1938) he knows that the overturn in addresses can be theoretically complete in a lustrum, the annual rate of change being about 20 to 25 per cent. It was characteristic of Doctor Palmer to wait until he was in control of a job, then to pitch into it intensively and shape it as his own. So it was with the two Index Chairmanships and with the Committee on Biography and Bibliography; and SO it was with the Secretaryship of the Union. He loved the ritual of the position at the annual meetings; the precise order of business, the calling of the roll; and, as well, the opportunity to take part in discussion of papers, motions, and resolutions; and to comment on the history of a situation, in a sonorous voice of some oratorical power. He studied the classes of membership, doubtless to educate himself for the job, but he gave the results in short articles in 'The Auk.' He wrote also on the geographical distribution of members, on the Check-Lists, on indexes to ornithological literature, full names of authors, and attendance at meetings; and from time to time pre- sented lists of all meetings of the Union. Probably his banker's training led him to take special interest in the permanent funds of the Union and to push the development of a Board of Investing Trustees to handle them. He was especially keen on the establish- ment of funds for research and was active in promoting free member- ship for promising students and for those in the Armed Forces in wartime. He worked hard to increase the number of complete sets of 'The Auk' in libraries and reported the results in four different papers in 'The Auk' (1920, 1924, 1929, and 1930). Perhaps the culmination of his secretarial service was stimulation of the project, enlistment of its contributors, and editing of the result- ing volume on "Fifty Years' Progress of American Ornithology 1883-1933," published by the Union in the latter year. I believe I do no injustice in stating that of the Committee for this work: Frank M. Chapman and T. S. Palmer, the former's service was more or less nominal and that Doctor Palmer is the one who conceived the venture and pushed it through. Further, his opening chapter on the history of the Union, and the closing chronology by him are among the most informative parts of the work. July 1956 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer 375 The publication of obituaries of ornithologists was encouraged by the first two Editors of 'The Auk' (J. A. Allen, 1884-1912; Witmer Stone, 1912-1936) and Doctor Palmer more than kept up the tradi- tion. He was on a Committee on Biography from 1915 and on that for Biography and Bibliography from 1919, and he wrote more biographical sketches than did any one else. At his own expense he reprinted all obituaries (except the longer memorials of Fellows) from 'The Auk,' 1884-1954 (Washington, D. C., 1954). This com- pilation is said to have cost the Doctor twenty dollars per volume. Many copies were distributed gratis and the remainder were turned over to the Union for sale for the benefit of the publication fund. From a letter of August 15, 1954, it is evident that Doctor Palmer intended to supplement this work, as he wrote: "I have under way, partly written, a list of the 80 or more A.O.U. memorials, giving authors, references, etc."; and, he added, "Memorials by the way are in a bad condition. Twelve are still unpublished." Doctor Palmer sought out and recorded the place of burial of ornithologists, made pilgrimages to them, and in one case, I know of, had the tombstone (that of J. K. Townsend in Oak Hill Cemetery, D. C.) reset at his own expense (or as he said by an anonymous donor). His devotion to necrology brought some jibing, as to the effect that he would make a good sexton, and that living members had better watch out as the Doctor was not satisfied until he had both of the terminal dates of a prospect. But, jests aside, his activities in these directions were praiseworthy, and he set a fine example in his prolific biographical writings. Further, I would add that the worth of a Society can well be judged from the respect it pays to its deceased members; and from that point of view, T. S. Palmer contributed more than any other person toward maintaining the prestige and honor of the American Ornithologists' Union. As a further value, be it remembered, that all history, including that of our Union, is in no small part written in the biographies of individuals. Doctor Palmer, by nature, was greatly interested in the collection of portraits of ornithologists-a hobby of our late, lamented Fellow, Ruthven Deane (1851-1934). This collection, in the making for more than half a century, through the intercession of Doctor Palmer, was presented to the Library of Congress by Deane shortly before his death. There Palmer and Frank Bond, employed by him, carefully arranged and labelled the collection, and provided it with a card index, which lists the name, dates and places of birth and death, professional position, publications, and biographical references for each individual. Here we see scope for the respective abilities of 376 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer Auk Vol. 73 Palmer and Bond. For the latter's expert calligraphy, see page 24 in 0. W. Knight's "Birds of Wyoming" (1902). Bond made all of the illustrations for that work, which are fair as bird paintings now go, but increased his proficiency in later years, especially in portraying birds with metallic coloration. The team work here noted resulted also in an index of bird artists of the world and an indexing of the minutes of the A.O.U. Council Meetings, which Doctor Palmer per- suaded the Council to deposit in the Library of Congress. One of the most useful of Doctor Palmer's writings is: "Notes on persons whose names appear in the nomenclature of California birds, a contribution to the history of West Coast ornithology" (Condor, 30: 261-307, 1928). This consists mainly of brief, biographical sketches of persons for whom birds of Upper and Lower California had been named either in technical or vernacular nomenclature- about 180 in all. It is illustrated by portraits of six of them and in- cludes an index of published portraits of 115. The introduction shows that the Doctor fully appreciated the "romance" of the subject, which was, indeed, near to his heart. This paper was enlarged and completed while he was on leave for the benefit of his health at Berke- ley, California, in 1927. Too bad we do not have a compendium like it covering all of the birds in the Check-List that are named for persons. In a work on "Ornithologists of the United States Army Medical Corps" (1942), the author, Colonel Edgar E. Hume, acknowledges much assistance from Doctor Palmer, especially in lists of species named by, or for, biographees, and toward a roster of ornithologists in the Medical Department during the First World War. About a third of the older, and half of the newer, group were affiliated with the American Ornithologists' Union. Doctor Palmer had a great interest in longevity of scientists and an ambition to excel in that respect himself. He did better than average, reaching almost 87 1/2 years. One of his "heroes" was Pro- fessor Joseph Beal Steere of the University of Michigan, author of "Fifty new species of Philippine Birds," whose life span was from 1842 to 1940. I have several times heard the Doctor refer to Steere as a good example. Doctor Palmer was confined to the house as a result of a broken hip the last 2 1/2 years of his life, and died July 24, 1955. He is survived by his widow whom he married as Bertha M. Ellis, November 21, 1911; and by a ten-year younger brother, Dr. Harold K. Palmer of Los Angeles, California. Doctor Palmer was a member of about 25 North American and 4 foreign scientific or conservation organizations. (For details, see July 1956 McATEE, Theodore Sherman Palmer 377 'Who's Who in America.') Significant features of these memberships, not already mentioned, are that as a leading Californian ornithologist, he was made an Honorary Member of the Cooper Ornithological Society; he was President of the Biological Society of Washington 1909-1910; Vice-President of the American Society of Mammalogists 1928-1934; one of the honorary scientific brotherhood, Sigma Xi; and member of the Cosmos Club of Washington for sixty years. For contributions of material relating to Doctor Palmer, I am indebted to Joseph S. Wade, John K. Terres, and Harold H. Bailey; and the Library of Congress; and for information as to the source of the portrait to Mrs. Bertha M. Ellis Palmer. It was taken in 1942. Publications not referred to in the preceding text that contain biographical data on our late Fellow and long-time Secretary are: American Men of Science; National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. A, 1930, p. 474; Annual Report of the Library of Congress for the Fiscal Year 1934, p. 139; Guide to Special Collections of Prints and Photographs in the Library of Congress, 1955, p. 46; Atlantic Naturalist, 1955, 11 (1): 2. [A short appreciation by John W. Aldrich.] and Cosmos Club Bulletin, 9 (5) : 2-4, March, 1956. [Obituary by Joseph S. Wade and Paul H. Oehser.] 3 Davie Circle, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, April 20, 1956. Note 5/16/18 Chechm T.S Palmer a source for national Marenet stategy 6p.27 Story of AWD) T.S. Polmann " lature cannt agest of the foregove Sining Deption Agricuton old freed Edeward Howe Forkush He suggests And question Act as have been musm CAH save cooded redewood 5/17/2018 Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955 I The Online Books Page The Online Books Page Online Books by T. S. Palmer (Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955) Books from the extended shelves: i Palmer, T.S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Chronology and index of. the more important events in American game protection, 1776-1911, (Washington, G.P.O., 1912) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: The danger of introducing noxious animals and birds. (page images at HathiTrust; US access only) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: The danger of introducing noxious animals and birds / ([Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1894?]) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: The Death Valley Expedition. A biological survey of parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Part II (Washington, D.C. : Govt. Print. Off., 1893), also by C. Hart Merriam, Robert Edwards Carter Stearns, Charles Valentine Riley, Charles Henry Gilbert, Leonhard Hess Stejneger, and Albert Kenrick Fisher (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Digest of game laws for 1901. (Washington, Gov't print off., 1901), also by Henry Oldys (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Directory of state officials and organizations concerned with the protection of birds and game. (1900) (page images at HathiTrust; US access only) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Federal game protection-- a five years' retrospect. (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game as a national resource / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1922) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1902 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipment, sale and licenses / (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1902), also by Henry Oldys (page images at HathiTrust) summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipment, sale and licen 2 (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1904), also by Henry Oldys an W. Williams (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1905 : a summary of the provisions relating to season, shipment, sale, and licenses (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1905), also by Henry Oldys and R. W. Williams (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1906 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipment, sale and licenses / (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1906), also by R. W. Williams (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1907 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipment, sale and licenses / (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1907), also by Henry Oldys and Charles E. Brewster (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1908 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipment, sale and licenses / (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1909), also by Henry Oldys (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1912 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipments, sale, limits, and licenses / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1912), also by Charles E. Brewster and Frank L. Earnshaw (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1914 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, export, sale, limits, and licences / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1914), also by W.F. Bancroft and Frank L. Earnshaw (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game laws for 1916 : a summary of the provisions relating to seasons, export, sale, limits, and licenses / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1916), also by W.F. Bancroft and Frank L. Earnshaw (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game protection in 1905. Washington, 1905]) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Game protection in 1906. (page images at HathiTrust; US access only) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Hunting licenses, their history, objects, and limitations. (Washington, Gov't print. off., 1904) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Importation of game birds and eggs for propagation / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1904), also by Henry Oldys (page images at HathiTrust) 5/17/2018 Palmer, T.S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955 | The Online Books Page 3 i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Index generum mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals / (Washington, D.C. : Govt. Print. Off., 1904) (page images at Hathi Trust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: The jack rabbits of the United States. (Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1896) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: The jack rabbits of the United States / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Biological Survey, 1897) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Laws regulating the transportation and sale of game / (Washington : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Biological Survey, 1900), also by Henry Oldys (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Legislation for the protection of birds other than game birds. (Washington, Gov't print. off., 1900) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Legislation for the protection of birds other than game birds / (Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Biological Survey, 1902) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: A list of the generic and family names of rodents / (Washington : Biological Society of Washington, 1897) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T.S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: National monuments as wild-life sanctuaries. (Washington, Govt. print. off., 1917) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T.S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: National monuments as wild-life sanctuaries. Address, (Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1917), also by United States National Park Service (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: National reservations for the protection of wild life. ([Washington, Govt. Print. Off.], 1912) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Place names of the Death Valley region in California and Nevada / ([S.1. : T.S. Palmer?], 1948) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Private game preserves and their future in the United States. (Washington, 1910) (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Progress of game protection in 1909. (Washington, 1910), also by C. E. Brewster and Henry Oldys (page images at HathiTrust) i Palmer, T. S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Published writings. ornithology in the United States ((1900)) (page images at HathiTrust; US access only) i Palmer, T.S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Some benefits the farmer may derive from game protection. (Washington, 1905) (page images at HathiTrust) See also what's at your library, or elsewhere. Help with reading books -- Report a bad link -- Suggest a new listing Home -- Search -- New Listings -- Authors -- Titles -- Subjects -- Serials Books -- News -- Features -- Archives -- The Inside Story Edited by John Mark Ockerbloom (onlinebooks@pobox.upenn.edu) OBP copyright and licenses. I t and carry ornithology in the United States ((1900)) (page images at HathiTrust; US 4 access only) i Palmer, T.S. (Theodore Sherman), 1868-1955: Some benefits the farmer may derive from game protection. (Washington, 1905). (page images at HathiTrust) See also what's at your library, or elsewhere. Help with reading books -- Report a bad link -- Suggest a new listing Home -- Search -- New Listings -- Authors -- Titles -- Subjects -- Serials Books -- News -- Features -- Archives -- The Inside Story Edited by John Mark Ockerbloom (onlinebooks@pobox.upenn.edu) OBP copyright and licenses. INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENTOS OFFICE OF INFORMATION PRESS SERVICE WASHINGTON. D. C. Release - Immediate. July 20, 1933. TWO VETERAN SCIENTISTS TO RETIRE FROM BIOLOGICAL SURVEY Vernon Bailey and Dr. T. S. Palmer End Notable Services in the Federal Government Vernon Bailey and Dr. T. S. Palmer, veteran scientists of the Bureau of Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture, will retire on July 31, Mr. Bailey after 46 years service and Dr. Palmer after 44 years. If The retirement of these biologists, so well known in the scientific world, here and abroad, will be distinctly felt in the Biological Survey, 11 said Paul G. Redington, chief, "but both will continue to be influential in work along lines with which the bureau is concerned. Free from official duties, each has before him much productive effort in the sciences of ornithology and mammalogy and in the con- servation and perpetuation of our valuable resources in wild life. If Vernon Bailey Vernon Bailey, chief field naturalist of the bureau, rated in "American Men of Science" since 1910 as among the thousand leading scientific men of the country, has achieved wide recognition for his studies of the geographic distribution of mammals, birds, and plants. Bureau officials consider his work in building up the Survey's collections and files of information especially noteworthy. Practically - every season since Mr. Bailey's first service has been marked by his field work in 116-34 - 2 - some part of the United States, and wild-life studies have taken him to every State of the Union and to Mexico and Canada. He has conducted biological surveys of Tex- as, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon, and has published reports on the mammals of Glacier National Park, and on the animal life of the Carlsbad Caverns, and on that of Yellowstone National Park. On the pocket gophers and on the ground squir- rels of the Mississippi Valley ha has prepared special publications based on his field work, and has revised the classification of rodents in these and other genera. Only recently the bureau added to the list of publications written by Mr. Bailey the "Mammals of New Mexico", in its North American Fauna Series. At present, C8 joint author with Dr. Florence Merriam Bailey, his wife, he has in press a work on the wild life of the Mammoth Cave region of Kentucky. His work on Oregon has not yet been published. Mr. Bailey has also been widely recognized for his efforts in behalf of the humane treatment of animals, especially because of the traps he has invented to cap ture them alive and unhurt. He designed and perfected the Biological Survey Beaver Trap, now in wide use in connection with restocking operations and also the Foothold Trap, for both of which he has received prizes awarded by the American Humane Asso- ciation. The Foothold Trap is now being developed for use in capturing a variety of mammals and birds. A native of Michigan, Mr. 3ailey was first employed in the Department of Agriculture as a special field agent in 1887, when he was 24 years old and living in Minnesota In 1890 he gained his present title of chief field naturalist. From 1906 to 1913 he was in charge of what is now the division of biological investiga- tions of the Survey. Mr. Bailey is president of the American Society of Mammalogists and a former president of the Biological Society of Washington (D.C.). He is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the American - 3 - Ornithologists Union, the American Forestry Association, the Cooper Ornithological Club, and other societies interested ir. wild-life study and conservation, and of the scientific consulting board of Nature Magazine. Dr. T. S. Palmer Dr. Theodore Sherman Palmer is noted for his activities in game protection. He is also widely known among naturalists of this and other countries as a zoologi- cal historian and biographer, and as an authority on the nomenclature of mammals. He was chairman of the committee that prepared regulations under the migratory-bird law of 1913, and he also prepared the preliminary draft of the Migratory Bird Treat of 1916 between the United States and Great Britain. Through his great interest in extending the effectiveness of legislation for bird and game protection, Dr. Palmer on numerous occasions has well served the interests of wild life and of the Biolog- ical Survey in drafting and administering protective regulations. He was instru- mental in initiating legislation governing importations of game and other wild animals and birds from foreign countries and has cooperated with officials of the Customs Service in drafting regulations. He originated the present system of Fed- eral publication of the game laws and open-season posters and of directories of game-protective officials and organizations, and the numerous official publications of the Biological Survey on trends in game conservation and in legislation for the protection of wild life, some of which have been translated and published abroad. Monumental among his published writings is his "Index Generum Mammalium", issued by the Biological Survey in 1904 as North American Fauna No. 23. He is now complet. ing a supplement to it. Dr. Palmer, a native of California, was graduated from the University of California in 1888 and came to the Department of Agriculture the following year, at the age of 21. In 1895 he completed medical studies and was granted his M. D. degree by Georgetown University. He early engaged in field studies and has visited - 1 most parts of the United States, and for 5 months in 1891, as first assistant ornithologist, he was acting in charge of the Death Valley Expedition. He was assistant chief of the Biological Survey from 1896 to 1902, and from 1910 to 1914 and acted as chief over extended periods, including the time when the chief, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, was in Alaska as a member of the Bering Sea Commission. From 1900 to 1916, Dr. Palmer was in charge of the bureau's division of game preservation, and since the passage of the Lacey Act in 1900 he has been in charge of the regula- tion of the importation of foreign birds and mammals. Since 1917 Dr. Palmer has been secretary of the American Ornithologists's Union, in which capacity he is noted for his comprehensive statements regarding the membership and accomplishments of the Union, published annually in its journal, The Auk. Dr. Palmer is a Fellow of the Union, and also of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the California Academy of Science. He has been first vice president of the National Association of Audubon Societies since 1905, and since 1924 has been president of the Audubon Society of the District of Colum- bia. He has been serving as vice president of the American Society of Mammalogists since 1927, having declined, after election in 1933, to serve as president. Dr. Palmer is a corresponding member of several foreign ornithological societies, in- cluding the Ornithologische Gegellschaft, Bavaria, and the Royal Hungarian Institute of Ornithology, and is an honorary member of the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire (London), the Transvaal Game Protective Society (South Africa), and the International Association of Game, Fish, and Conservation Commis- sioners. He is also a member of the American Bison Society, the Society of Ameri- can Foresters, the National Parks Association, and many other scientific and conservation organizations. T In 1904 publighted aticle 'Sover Benefits Faracers Mary Desive for Gam Protection