Dedication 



We respectfully dedicate this publication to: 



Dr. Philip L. Wright 



Dr. Phil Wright ( 1914-1997), of Missoula, was a noted zoologist at the Universit}- of Montana. He 

 earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in zoology from the University' of New Hampshire, and his Ph.D. 

 from the University of Wisconsin. Fresh out of graduate school, Phil came to Missoula to teach at the 

 University of Montana. During his 46-year tenure at the university' he was a mentor to manv stucients 

 who attended his ornitholog\' and mammalogv' classes. Phil was instrumental in starting UM's zoological 

 museum, which officialh' became the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum in Mav 1997. Although 

 mammalogy' was Phil's primary research interest, he was a sub-regional editor for American Birds and 

 National Audubon Society Field Notes for many years, and 14 of his 39 scientific publications concerned 

 birds. Phil was very interested in the distribution of birds in Montana, dedicating much of his retirement 

 to the study of our state's rare birds. He \s'as also a founding member of the Montana Bird Records 

 Committee which has contributed extensi\elv to this publication since 1991 . One of his final contributions 

 was the publication "Status of Rare Birds in Montana, With Comments on Known Hybrids." The 

 article, published in Northwestern Naturalist 77:57-85, provides detailed records for 113 bird species 

 reported fewer than 20 times in the state. (Reprints are a\ailable through Montana .Audubon i. PhiPs 

 life was dedicated to his family and his profession. His enthusiasm for c\crything that interested him 

 was infectious, and the intluence of his contributions to Montana and our knowledge of the birds that 

 live here will continue for a \ery long time. 



Dr. Clifford V. Davis 



Dr. Cliff Davis ( 1914-2002 ), of Bozeman, was a zoology professor at Montana State University'. He 

 earned his B.S. (1937) from Montana State University', his M.S. from the Uni\ersit)' of Michigan, and 

 his Ph.D. from Oregon State Universit\'. For his Ph.D. dissertation, Cliff reviewed the status of the 

 birds of Montana, citing some 487 references. He published these findings in 3 scientific papers to 

 make die references more readily accessible to researchers and the general public. Originally from a 

 ranch east of Judith Gap, Cliff returned to Montana after graduate school. He taught biology at Gallatin 

 Count\' High School for 8 years, and zoolog>' at Montana State Universit\' for 30 years, until his retirement 

 in 1974. In 1956, he received the MSU Distinguished Teacher Award. He was dic author of numerous 

 scientific articles, with his major interests in birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Cliff was well known for his 

 study of birds in the Bozeman area and for his nature walks conducted for MSU students, Audubon, 

 and other interested communit\' groups and members. He loved to help young people it they showed 

 even a glimmer of interest in nature. Cliff made an impression on untold numbers of individuals while 

 he did what he loved best, watching for events such as the first Killdeer to arrive in the March twilight 

 and sharing the experience, calling attention to what is truly important in life. 



Beatrice "Bebe" FitzGerald 



Bebe FitzGerald ( 1916 2000), of Billings, joined Yellowstone Valley Audubon Societ)' in 1972 and 

 immediately became an active member. For 28 years, Bebe served as either a member of the Board of 

 Directors, Secretary, Membership Chair, Vice-president, or President. She co-taught bird identification 

 classes for 24 years to the Billings communirv using the chapter's collection of bird slides, tor which she 

 was responsible. Bebe also presented programs about Montana's birds to area school children. She was 

 instrumental in establishing Montana Audubon as a statewide organization, and served as one of its first 

 presidents. Bebe was passionate about birds and bird watching. As a founding member of the Montana 

 Bird Records Committee, Bebe's passion inspired others to keep careful records to help increase our 

 knowledge of Montana's birds. 



IV 



