Location
Arthur Holmes Howell
Years: 1872–1940 | Role: Naturalist | County: Victoria
Topics
Description
Howell grew up in New York state. As a young man, he joined the Linnaean Society of New York and the American Ornithologists’ Union, and soon met the bird expert Harry Oberholser, who in turn introduced him to Vernon Bailey, the acclaimed federal biologist. In 1895, Howell signed on as a field assistant to Bailey, working with him in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Florida and Texas.
His work in Texas (1903-06) included over 200 days spent in 8 ecological regions, contributing 48 reports, 180 mammal specimens and 76 photos to Bailey’s opus, Biological Survey of Texas (1905). In 1906-07, Howell also did key stomach-content analysis showing the valuable role played by 43 native insectivorous bird species in controlling the boll weevil decimating the cotton fields of Texas.
In total, Howell worked for the U.S. government for 44 years, publishing 80 papers and books, based on field work in 13 states.
Location Notes
With Howell's important field research and insights on the role of birds as a natural means to control insects, such as boll weevils, it would make sense to put a marker honoring him in the cotton region of Texas. On pages 12 and 13 of his 1907 report, "On the Relation of Birds to the Cotton Boll Weevil", he reports that 10,000 cliff swallows, each eating 18 weevils a day, might pass over Victoria, making major and free inroads on pest control for cotton farmers. To tie to that insight, Riverside Park offers a good public and well-trafficked spot in Victoria, featured on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Site CTC 027, that could serve as a marker site for Mr. Howell.