Discovering Birds: The Emergence of Ornithology as a Scientific Discipline, 1760-1850

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Discovering Birds: The Emergence of Ornithology as a Scientific Discipline, 1760-1850 Author: Format: Paperback / softback First Published: Published By: Johns Hopkins University Press
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Pages: 224 Illustrations and other contents: 10 Illustrations, black and white Language: English ISBN: 9780801855375 Categories: , ,

In Discovering Birds, Paul Lawrence Farber rejects the view that eighteenth-century natural history disappeared with the rise of nineteenth-century biology. In this penetrating case study of the history of ornithology, Farber demonstrates interesting continuities: as natural history evolved into individual sciences (botany, geology, and zoology) and specialties (entomology and ichthyology), the study of birds emerged as a distinct scientific discipline that remained observational and taxonomic. Ornithologists continued to see one of their primary tasks as classification, and they found no need to alter their approach. Their efforts were greatly aided at the end of the eighteenth century as colonization and exploration brought new dataa plethora of exotic and previously unknown birds. By the mid-nineteenth century, ornithology had become a scientific discipline with international experts, a large empirical base, and a rigorous methodology of watching and cataloging.

Weight0.34 kg
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Farber's study is rigorous, thoughtfully articulated, and-at its best-clearly transcends the history of ornithology, natural history, and the history of science. Journal of the History of Medicine Anyone concerned with the formation of new scientific disciplines will find Farber's account invaluable. Social Studies of Science "A good resource for those interested in the early days and origins of ornithology. Bird Watcher's Digest

Author Biography

Paul Lawrence Farber is professor of history at Oregon State University.