With deep thanks to Jeremiah Trimble, had a fascinating visit recently at the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) at Harvard University.  Had a very warm welcome from Jeremiah and then worked with Kate Eldridge, Curatorial Assistant in the Ornithology Department.

The Ornithology Collection began with the founding of the Museum of Comparative Zoology by Louis Agassiz in 1859. Starting with the department’s first accession of a small group of birds purchased by Agassiz at the Boston Market in 1846, the collection has grown into one of the largest and most important ornithological collections in the world. The collection currently houses nearly 400,000 scientific specimens with representatives of nearly every genus of birds, and over 85% of the species of birds (~8300 species). MCZ is the largest university-based ornithological collection in the world and the 5th largest overall. The collection distribution covers the globe but has particularly good representation from North America, the Neotropics and Asia. Below is one of the large specimen drawers with borh American and Fish Crows.

Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, ©President and Fellows of Harvard College

Below is an American Crow from Ipswich, MA dated 1888.

Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, ©President and Fellows of Harvard College

Below is a Fish Crow from Springfield, MA dated 1896.

Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, ©President and Fellows of Harvard College

Below is a larger American Crow and a smaller Fish Crow for comparative review!

Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, ©President and Fellows of Harvard College