Bird-watching is a hobby that really emerged in the 20th century. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “In the 19th century almost all students of birds used guns and could identify an unfamiliar species only when its corpse was in their hands.”
That said, two early bird books were Gilbert White’s Natural History of Selborne (1788) and John James Audubon’s illustrated Birds of America (1827–38).
In the 1880s bird-watching became popular in Great Britain, then in the United States, parts of Europe, and the British Commonwealth. The first field guide in North America was Florence A. Merriam’s Birds Through an Opera Glass (1897).
H.F. Witherby’s five-volume Handbook of British Birds (1938–41) and Roger Tory Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds (1947) appeared in the mid-20th century.
After sharing these books I can’t neglect to mention that, again quoting the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Modern bird-watching was made possible largely by the development of optical aids, particularly binoculars, which enabled people to see and study wild birds, without harming them, better than ever before.”
Sources
- “Bird-watching” via Encyclopedia Britannica
- “Birdwatching history: the first U.S. birding field guide” by SHaron Stiteler via Outdoor News
Interesting! The bird book I’ve had since girlhood was published in 1966. Does that could as old? I’m very fond of it. The neighbours tell me there are two screech owls nesting across the road but I haven’t seen them yet despite scanning for them with binoculars morning and evening.
What is your bird book called? The girls (and I) are eager to hear if you spot the owls!
It is called “Birds of North America,” one in the series of Golden Field Guides.
Ah, yes.