Birds, Illustrated by Color Photography, Vol. 2, No. 6 December, 1897

A vivid snapshot of American ornithology at the turn of the century, this volume brings the 1897 meeting of the Ornithological Congress to life through striking color photographs and lively reports. Readers hear the reverent tribute to Charles Bendire, the impromptu, humor‑filled talk by Frank M. Chapman on his Mexican fieldwork, and Elliott Coues’s theatrical unveiling of Audubon’s legendary portfolio. The pages capture the excitement of a community gathered in New York’s Natural History Museum, where scholars and collectors exchange ideas amid stuffed specimens and treasured manuscripts.

Beyond the formal papers, the book offers an intimate glimpse of the personalities shaping bird study—Coues’s anecdotes, Chapman’s emerging reputation, and the collective awe of witnessing Audubon’s massive, manuscript‑laden folio. It balances scholarly detail with accessible storytelling, making a historic scientific gathering feel as immediate and engaging as a field trip. Listeners will walk away with a richer appreciation for the early passion that defined American birdwatching.