Founders' Council Honors Roger Tory Peterson 



A Lifetime's Distinguished Dedication to natural history 



has eminently qualified Roger Tory Peterson for an honor 

 recently accorded him by Field Museum's Founders' Council. 

 The council's Award of Merit was bestowed on Peterson at a 

 September 8 awards dinner in recognition of his outstand- 

 ing work as a painter and photographer of wildlife, natural 

 history writer, editor, and conservationist. Peterson has done 

 more than any other individual in the popularization of nat- 

 ural history field guides, with which his name is practically 

 synonymous. 



Another honor was accorded Peterson recently in a new- 

 ly discovered bird species being named for him. The cinna- 

 mon screech-owl, recently discovered in the foothills of the 

 Peruvian Andes, has been given the scientific name Otus 

 petersoni, also in recognition of Peterson's achievements. Co- 

 discoverers of the owl were John W. Fitzpatrick, chairman of 

 Field Museum's Department of Zoology and curator of Birds, 

 and John P. O'Neill, coordinator of Field Studies and artist-in- 

 residence at Louisiana State University's Museum of Natural 

 Science. The September 8 award program included a pre- 

 sentation by Fitzpatrick and O'Neill: "Naming a New Owl 



after a Legendary Birder: A Tribute to Roger Tory Peterson." 

 Founders' Council Chairman Henry T. Chandler (above, 

 left) presented the Award of Merit and a check for $1,000 to 

 Peterson. Chandler also expressed gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. 

 John B. Judkins, Jr., chairmen of the Award of Merit Dinner, 

 which was sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Company, pub- 

 lisher of the renowned "Peterson Field Guide Series." 



The Award of Merit is presented from time to time by the 

 council to persons who have made significant contributions to 

 the elements of the stated purpose of Field Museum: "To pre- 

 serve, to increase and to disseminate knowledge of natural 

 history; and to enhance in individuals the knowledge of and 

 delight in natural history." 



Established in 1983, the Founders' Council is a distin- 

 guished support group consisting of individual and corporate 

 donors who provide leadership and financial assistance to the 

 Museum. The council focuses on the Museum's incomparable 

 collections and the renowned international research con- 

 ducted by the curatorial staff. Further information about the 

 council may be obtained by calling Susan VandenBosch, 

 director of Individual Giving, 322-8878. 



25 



