84 THE NIDOLOGIST 
Published and ; THE PIONEER 
Edited by Magazine of 
Henry R. TAYLOR Illustrated Bird Life. 
Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 
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Charles E. Bendire. 
over will deplore the death of Major Charles 
K. Bendire, which occurred at Jacksonville, 
Florida, February 4. Major Bendire had been 
failing for months in Washington,under the dread 
influence of Brights’ disease. He removed from 
Washington to Florida, hoping to improve, but 
died soon afterward in the presence of his old 
friend, Dr. William lL. Ralph. 
Major Bendire was a unique figure in the pro- 
gress ot American Oology; of vast learning, the 
fruit of many years spent in the field, scrupulously 
exact ‘n all his statements, he was an authority in 
his specialty such as science may not soon see 
again. Under a bluff, military exterior, Major 
Bendire could not conceal a kindly, sympathetic 
nature. In his position of Honorary Curator of 
Oology in the United States National Museum, 
caring for all the great egg collections, of which 
his own, a gift to the Museum, was the real foun- 
dation, he was unfailingly patient in answering 
the queries of amateur Oologists and in identify- 
ing specimens sent to him. Volumes I and II of 
his ‘“‘Life Histories of North American Birds,” a 
life work of which he vainly hoped to complete 
the series, willremain for generationsan enduring 
monument to his genius, 
Major Bendire was born in Hesse Darmstadt, 
Germany, April 27, 1836. He wasrelated to Wey- 
precht and Payer, the Austrian explorers who dis- 
covered Franz Josef Land. He came to America 
in 1852, and in June, 1854, enlisted as a private in 
Company D, 1st Dragoons, U.S. Army. He was. 
later transferred to the first Cavalry, and served 
for 19 years with distinction, rising to the rank of 
Captain. He was retired in 1886 on account of an 
injury to his knee. Again, however, he took the 
field, and in 1890 was breveted Major for gallant 
() ‘over wiitaepioren and Oologists the world 
services in fighting the Indians at Canyon Creek, 
Montana. During his years of service in the 
Army he was stationed at many remote points in 
the West, where he carried on investigations in 
Oology which were destined to later make his 
name famous. His earliest writings were in letters 
to well-known naturalists, Baird, Brewer and 
others. In 1877 he published a valuable paper on 
the “Birds of Southeastern Oregon.’’ He has 
written about 50 papers in all, mostly relating to 
avian Oology, though a few treat of fishes and 
mammals. 
CAPT. (BREV’? Major) CHARLES E. BENDIRE 
(Photo taken about 1884) 
Major Bendire was conscientious, and noted for 
his unusual directness of speech and fearlessness 
in supporting his convictions. He was to the last 
an enemy of the dishonest, while a ready friend 
to all who proved themselves worthy. His death 
is a loss to science which it will take a long time 
to fully measure. When ‘shall we see his like 
again? 
GEORGE A. Morrison took aset I-3 Great 
Horned Owl on February 21 at Fox Lake, Wis. 
Incubation was advanced about one week, but 
differed in individual eggs, so that it must have 
commenced upon the laying of the first egg. The 
eggs were ina nest ina black oak 60 feet up, 
where a set of Red-tailed Hawk’seggs were taken 
March 31 last year. 
IF you get a paper this month to which you are 
not entitled it is because we overlook our rule as 
to non-renewels for ouce to call your special atten- 
tion to our ‘‘Farallone Souvenir’”’ and our new pre- 
mium offers. We do not promise that the eggs 
will last forever, so take the opportunity while it 
is vours. 
