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Inventory to the field notes of Harry S. Swarth at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at University of California, Berkeley
MVZA.MSS.0251
MVZA.MSS.0251
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Table of contents
Title: Harry S. Swarth field notes
Identifier/Call Number: MVZA.MSS.0251
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1896-1930
Abstract: The Harry S. Swarth field notes include field notes and a bound photocopy of a diary. These materials offer insight into the
work done by Swarth between 1896-1930.
Creator:
Swarth, Harry S., 1878-1935
The collection is open for research.
Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.
Harry S. Swarth field notes, MVZA.MSS.0251, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.
Harry S. Swarth (1878-1935) conducted significant research in the fields of ornithology and mammalogy. Gaining experience
in fieldwork when he was just 17, Swarth’s first professional position was with the Field Columbian Museum in Chicago in 1904.
In 1908, at Grinnell’s invitation, Swarth came to the MVZ, where he was Curator of Birds from 1910-1927, interrupted only
by his 1913-1916 tenure as Assistant Director with the Museum of History, Science and Art in Los Angeles. From 1927 until
his death in 1935, Swarth served as Curator in the Department of Mammalogy and Ornithology with the California Academy of
Sciences. Swarth pursued fieldwork throughout his life, undertaking most of this work in California, Arizona, the U.S. northwest
coast, and the Galapagos Islands.
Sources Consulted:
Linsdale, Jean M. “Harry Schelwald Swarth with three illustrations.”
The Condor, 38, 4 (1936): 155-168. Accessed July 22, 2013.
"http://www.jstor.org/stable/1363599"
Mailliard, Joseph. “In Memoriam: Harry Schelwald Swarth 1878-1935.”
The Auk, 54, 2 (1937): 127-134. Accessed July 22, 2013.
"http://www.jstor.org/stable/4078544"
The Harry S. Swarth field notes include eight standard-bound volumes of field notes, including specimen and habitat sketches.
The volumes cover the years 1908-1930, with localities in Alaska, Arizona, California, and Canada. A separate folder containing
non-standard bound field notes features a photocopied transcription made by Swarth’s son, Christopher. The transcription is
from a diary kept by Swarth that chronicles three months of a bird and egg collecting trip in Cochise County, Arizona during
the year 1896.
The collection has been arranged in one series, titled Field notes. Within Field notes, there are two subseries: MVZ standard
binding and MVZ non-standard binding.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Biological specimens--Collection and preservation.
Biological specimens--Identification
Biology Fieldwork
Cataloging--Specimens.
Field notes
Scientific expeditions--Alaska
Scientific expeditions--Arizona
Scientific expeditions--California
Scientific expeditions--Canada
University of California (1868-1952). Museum of Vertebrate Zoology