Vernon Orlando Bailey

Vernon Bailey was a mammalogist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Biological Survey. Vernon was responsible for federal biological surveys in New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, and notably Texas, creating the first extensive assessment of mammals, birds, reptiles and plants in the state. He began his work in El Paso in 1889, and continued through 1905. In the course of his studies, he collected ivory-billed woodpeckers near Gaylor Lake in 1904, some of the last confirmed sightings in the state. Bailey worked extensively with his wife, Florence Merriam Bailey, who joined him in exploring Texas, and who was an accomplished scholar and advocate in her own right.