Location
George Finlay Simmons
Years: 1895–1955 | Role: Ornithologist | County: Travis
Topics
Description
Simmons received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Texas, and his doctorate at the University of Chicago, where he became a professor of zoology. In 1924, he published Birds of the Austin Region, compiling varied information from the Hill Country, Blackland Prairie, and Colorado River Bottoms, including field notes, maps, migratory dates, nesting details and behavioral observations. This book provided a fine model for urban ecological research, and became an important area baseline for bird populations before extensive development and dam construction. Simmons went on to lead the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Blossom expedition to the South Atlantic (1923-26), and to serve as president of the University of Montana (1936-41).
Location Notes
Simmons' extensive research and reporting on the breeding, nesting, and vocalization of the golden-cheeked warbler in the Balcones Escarpment suggests that a marker at Emma Long Metropolitan Park might be a good location.
Files
- George Finlay Simmons, "On the Nesting of Certain Birds in Texas", The Auk, Vol. 32, No. 3 (July 1915).
- George Finlay Simmons, "With Rallus in the Texas Marsh", The Condor, Vol. 17, No.1 (January-February 1915).
- George Finlay Simmons, "Spring Migration (1914) at Houston, Texas", The Wilson Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 3 (September 1914).
- George Finlay Simmons, "Notes on the Louisiana Clapper Rail in Texas", The Auk, Vol. 31, No. 3 (July 2014).