THE LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGY AT CORNE 
World Center for Study of Birds 
A Description Prepared by Gertrude Thelin 
The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology is a world center for the study 
cultural appreciation of birds. As a separate department of Cornell 1 
versity, it enjoys a setting by itself in Sapsucker Woods in the heart of 
scenic Finger Lakes region of New York State. 
Ornithology at Cornell owes its origin to the late Professor Arthu: 
Allen who pioneered in course work and developed a broad progran 
research on living birds. For a period of almost fifty years Dr. Allen in 
duced some ten thousand students to the study of birds. At the same ti 
uncounted thousands of people throughout the country became increasi1 
aware of the cultural value of bird life through his writings, public lectu 
and superior photography. 
Closely associated with the development of ornithology at Cornell 
been Professor Peter Paul Kellogg, a former student and colleague of 
Allen’s for forty years, and whose particular genius in the field of acous 
and electronics, and with the initial stimulation and help from the 
Albert R. Brand, resulted in equipment and methods to record the sou 
of birds in their natural environment. Thus emerged the unique “Lib1 
of Natural Sounds,” containing over 24,000 recordings of bird vocalizati 
representing 2,500 species, viz. the now famous Cornell University I 
Records. 
Lyman K. Stuart, a beginner in photography under the guidance 
Dr. Allen and Dr. Kellogg, wishing to show his appreciation in some tang 
way, was responsible for the purchase of Sapsucker Woods for a sanctu 
Shortly thereafter, with funds from the Arcadia Foundation, a headquar 
building was constructed at the edge of a pond in the northern part of 
sanctuary. Dedicated on May 18, 1957, and called the Lyman K. Sti 
Observatory, it is the focal point of the Laboratory’s activities. Bes’ 
offices, it has photographic rooms, a sound laboratory, and a modest re 
ence library. On its west side an observatory, with huge picture wind 
overlooks a ten-acre pond that is attractive to a variety of watert« 
Immediately in front of the windows are feeding stations in operation 
year round. By means of a stereophonic public address system, the sou 
of the birds are “piped’”’ directly into the observatory from microphc 
under the eaves. On its southeast side the Stuart Observatory leads - 
the Frederick F. Brewster wing, which houses the Louis Agassiz Fue 
Room. Named in honor of the late bird artist, the room exhibits many 
his nest paintings and serves as an auditorium. 
The Laboratory carries on a program of scientific, educational 
cultural activities. Broadly stated, the scientific objectives cover the 
cumulation and dissemination of new knowledge on all aspects of bird 
the world over. For many years it has centered its research on avian 
havior and communication. Recently it broadened its research to incl 
the acquisition, through the North American Nest-Record Card Progi 
and cooperation of many hundreds of observers in the United States | 
Canada, of statistical data on the nesting of all North American species 
determine population trends, rates of survival, and other phenome 
ecology and distribution with emphasis on the controlling factors of 
physical and biotic environment; and through field and laboratory obser 
