Re: [Maine-birds] "Birds of Lewiston-Auburn and Vicinity"

Thanks very much, Stan, this is the sort of info I was looking for. I'd not heard of the book before running across it in an antique mall in Arundel last month. Where I paid all of $3.00 for it.

For the benefit of others who aren't familiar with the little book, it's basically a descriptive catalog of all bird species known in the area, with information about whether or a species is resident or migratory. And, if the latter, the approximate dates of its arrival and departure. Something of a beefed-up personal check-list. As such, it provides a baseline of data against which to check the current state of affairs.

It's also interesting to me for its value in documenting old common names and alternates. How many birders these days have a Wilson's Thrush on their life lists? Probably not nearly as many as have a Veery. Or a White-bellied Swallow (Tree Swallow)? Or a Greenlet (a name applied to all species of Vireo that she lists)? Or a Great Northern Diver? I've got one on my license plates.

--pfw

On Tue, Sep 9, 2014 at 3:34 PM, Stan DeOrsey <jsmd@att.net> wrote:

I am replying to the full list just in case anyone is interested, if not, delete!

Prof. Johnny Stanton was definitely at Bates College in Lewiston and was extremely well liked. There is much information available on him in a variety of sources. Carrie Miller was a young lady interested in birds who lived in Lewiston (or Auburn) her whole life. Stanton died in 1918 and in 1919 the Stanton Bird Club was formed and obviously named after the Bates professor. Miller became very active in the club and kept bird sighting records but never published an update to her book.

I have no idea how many copies of the book were printed, nearly all are softbound but occasionally a hardbound copy turns up, likely privately bound. It is not rare but the price varies considerably since anything from 1918 is considered rare and priced accordingly. It shows up on ebay often and seldom sells. It is a very good book when you see all the changes, for example there were no Mourning Doves at all in winter and even in summer they were uncommon.

Hope this is of some help.

On 9/9/2014 1:30 PM, Paul Wells wrote:

I might get my hand slapped for a post that may be considered off-topic, but I recently picked up a copy of a curious little book titled as above, by Carrie Ella Miller, and published in 1918. The book has an introduction by Prof. J.Y. Stanton, who Ms. Miller credits as a mentor, and to whom she dedicates the book. He taught at a college that is unnamed, but which was evidently Bates.

Can anyone on the list tell me anything about the book, Ms. Miller, or Prof. Stanton? Please reply off-list.


thanks,
Paul Wells

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Stan DeOrsey  jsmd@att.net

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Paul F. Wells
West Kennebunk, ME
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"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
                                                             --Albert Schweitzer

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