From natural history to avian biology : Canadian ornithology, 1860-1950

This thesis is the first full-scale historical treatment of Canadian ornithology from 1860 to 1950. Ornithology is one of the most important branches of modern biology, and ornithologists were pioneer researchers in the areas of evolution, systematics, animal behaviour, zoogeography, migration, population biology and ecology. The institutional development of ornithology in Canada was much retarded by the prevailing utilitarian attitude towards science with its lack of funding for fundamental research. It was not until the second decade of the twentieth century that ornithology became part of the scientific establishment of the Canadian government. Despite this, Canadian ornithologists, in face of considerable difficulties stemming from the lack of encouragement and financial support, pursued pioneering studies in migration, behaviour and population biology of birds. Their research contributions were instrumental in taking ornithology from nineteenth century natural history to twentieth century avian biology