Thank you so much for writing this for those of us who did not know of this amazing man's contributions! I found it most enlightening and had wondered about the reason for the change from the first mention of it in Montezuma NWR posts.
Judy Thurber Liverpool Sent from my iPad > On Nov 12, 2014, at 9:10 PM, Charlie Rouse <caro...@rochester.rr.com> wrote: > > Hi All, > > Recently, at Montezuma NWR, what used to be known as Shorebird Flats was > dedicated in memory of Elon Howard Eaton, and is now known as Eaton Marsh. To > familiarize the subscribers to Cayugabirds as to who Eaton was, I have > included a short biography below. Professor Eaton truly was a pioneer figure > in the ornithological history of New York State and well deserves the > posthumous recognition. > > Charlie Rouse > Secretary, > Eaton Birding Society > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Elon Howard Eaton > > Elon Howard Eaton was born in Springville, New York, on October 8, 1866. > He spent his early years there enjoying the outdoors, which was the basis for > his life’s work. > > He was graduated with an B.A. degree from the University of Rochester in > 1890, having been elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and received an M.A. degree in > 1893. > > While still an undergraduate he was an instructor of science at the > Canandaigua Union School, and after graduation returned there as > vice-principal and science instructor until 1895. > > From then until 1907, he was a Master of Science at the Bradstreet School in > Rochester. During this time he was working on his first book, Birds of > Western New York, which was published in 1901. > > Professor Eaton joined the faculty at Hobart & William Smith colleges in 1908 > and taught for 26 years. He established and was head of the biology > department, teaching classes in biology, ornithology and physiology, among > others. > > From 1908 to 1914, he served as State Ornithologist for the New York Museum > and acted as Curator. It was at that time where he was selected to write > Birds of New York. (Volume I, 1910; Volume II, 1914). > > This two volume treatise was the first complete study of birds of > Northeastern North America, and is still considered the standard authority. > Professor Eaton was instrumental in the establishment of Montezuma National > Wildlife Refuge, and for many years tried in vain to save Potter Swamp in > Yates County- ultimately succumbing to the advancement of agriculture. In its > day, Potter Swamp was a place where Big Day counts would exceed of 150 > species. > > Much of Professor Eaton’s time was spent in original research in ornithology, > ecology, genetics, migration and conservation. He presented papers on his > investigations before the American Ornithologist Union - and in 1927 was > selected to head the Biological Survey of the Finger Lakes. His prodigious > efforts set a standard for work of this sort, being recognized as the most > complete investigation of its kind ever conducted. > A short time later he was appointed to the Advisory Council of the New York > State Conservation Department, where he helped formulate policy. > > Accolades to Professor Eaton include: Two honorary degrees from the > University of Rochester. M. Sc. degree in 1911 - and a D.Sc. degree in 1925. > Naming of the H & WS Colleges science building Eaton Hall in his honor in > 1961, and was the Inaugural Recipient of the H&WS Distinguished Faculty Award > in 1992. > > In 1932, a group of ardent birders in the Geneva area established the Geneva > Bird Club under the guidance of Professor Eaton, and upon his death, renamed > the club the Eaton Birding Society in his honor. > > Professor Eaton died at home in Geneva on March 27, 1934. > > > -- > Cayugabirds-L List Info: > Welcome and Basics > Rules and Information > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > Archives: > The Mail Archive > Surfbirds > BirdingOnThe.Net > Please submit your observations to eBird! > -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
