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Alaska, April 12 - May 23, 1877

by: Nelson, Edward William, 1855-1934

Publication date: 1877

Topics: Naturalists, Zoology

Collection: biodiversity; sifieldbooks

Contributor: Smithsonian Institution Archives

Language: English

This field book documents Nelson's time in Alaska between 12 April and 24 May 1877. Nelson traveled to Alaska as a weather observer in the Signal Corps of the United States Army in April 1877. From June 1877, he began his assignment to study the zoology of the area as well as meteorology, geography, and ethnology. In this field book, Nelson maintains a narrative description of his daily activities, in which he relates his observations of various animals including birds like albatrosses, finches, and hawks (he recounts his investigation of a hawk's nest), seals and otters, whales, and other animals. Nelson often includes taxonomic names (which species he thinks it is) and common names. Nelson also describes weather conditions, occasionally including the temperature. This volume includes some rough sketches of animals observed. Locations include Akutan, Seal Island, Unalaska, and possibly other locations in Alaska

Abstract: This field book documents Nelson's time in Alaska between 12 April and 24 May 1877. Nelson traveled to Alaska as a weather observer in the Signal Corps of the United States Army in April 1877. From June 1877, he began his assignment to study the zoology of the area as well as meteorology, geography, and ethnology. In this field book, Nelson maintains a narrative description of his daily activities, in which he relates his observations of various animals including birds like albatrosses, finches, and hawks (he recounts his investigation of a hawk's nest), seals and otters, whales, and other animals. Nelson often includes taxonomic names (which species he thinks it is) and common names. Nelson also describes weather conditions, occasionally including the temperature. This volume includes some rough sketches of animals observed. Locations include Akutan, Seal Island, Unalaska, and possibly other locations in Alaska.