Field Guide to the Birds by Roger Tory Peterson
"Field Guide to the Birds" by Roger Tory Peterson is a seminal work in ornithology and natural history, first published in 1934. At just twenty-six years old, Peterson combined his artistic skills and scientific knowledge to create a guide that would revolutionize how amateur naturalists identify North American birds. The guide is notable for its use of clear illustrations and descriptions, allowing users to identify birds in their natural habitats without needing to capture specimens, a method now referred to as the Peterson Identification System.
Initially met with skepticism, the book was published by Houghton Mifflin after being rejected by several publishers and quickly sold out its first run, reflecting a significant interest in bird-watching and the natural world during the early 20th century. Its publication is considered a pivotal moment in the emerging environmental movement of the time, contributing to a growing public appreciation for nature and wildlife. The enduring popularity of Peterson's guide has kept it in print, influencing generations of bird enthusiasts. The success of this work also led to the creation of the Peterson Field Guides series, which expanded to cover various aspects of natural history beyond birds.
Field Guide to the Birds by Roger Tory Peterson
Identification First modern handbook for birders
Author Roger Tory Peterson
Date Published in 1934
The publication of Field Guide to the Birds is partly responsible for an increased interest in bird-watching and in naturalism as a whole. Roger Tory Peterson is considered one of the founders of the modern environmental movement, and the publication of this guide was a seminal moment in this cause.
Amateur ornithologist Peterson was twenty-six years old in 1934 when he combined his interests in art and science to write and illustrate his Field Guide to the Birds. The guide was a breakthrough in natural science, identifying North American birds through a series of clear paintings and descriptions based on readily observable characteristics of the animals in the field. The book was the first modern field guide designed to help amateur naturalists and hobbyists to identify animals in their natural habitats rather than relying on the conventional method of killing the animal for study in a laboratory or classroom. This method is sometimes called the Peterson Identification System in recognition of the author’s contribution.
Peterson’s book was turned down by four publishers before Houghton Mifflin took a chance on this unknown author and his unconventional work. It sold out a press run of two thousand copies in one week, indicating a public hunger for such a work. The publication of the guide was later recognized as an important event in the nascent environmental movement of the 1930’s.
Impact
Spurred in part by the publication of this book, bird-watching became ever more popular as the twentieth century progressed and represented an expanding public interest in natural history and the outdoors. The Field Guide to the Birds has never gone out of print or out of fashion among bird enthusiasts. The success of the book led the author to become editor for Peterson Field Guides, a large series that includes guides to insects, mammals, plants, and rocks.
Bibliography
Carlson, Douglas. Roger Tory Peterson: A Biography. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2007.
Line, Les. “He Transformed Us into a World of Watchers.” National Wildlife, February/March, 2002.
Weidensaul, Scott. Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding. San Diego: Harcourt, 2007.