Eggscentricity 2

For historical content behind this exhibition, please see Eggscentricity 1.

Collectors, William J.B. Williams and Bertram “Bert” Nichols have been carried over into the part two of this exhibition since the eggs on exhibit are from Williams’s, Nichols’s or Pember’s collection.

As I (Bernadette Hoffman) researched these 19th century egg collectors, many obituaries reflected the same information that the collector who passed had the most complete collection in the country. That’s what the obituary writer believed without possessing the knowledge of other collectors. I found that specimens discovered were given their scientific name in honor of their collector. These names were given by experts in the field, like William Brewster, an American ornithologist.

I am saddened for the birds who lost their lives in the name of science or had their eggs stolen for the same reason. I’m appreciative for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 that now prohibits collecting. However, if not for these bird and egg collectors, we would not have the vast knowledge about species today for their nesting habits and behavior in general.