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Theodore Roosevelt argues against some of Abbott Handerson Thayer’s conclusions regarding the protective coloration of animals. Roosevelt believes that Thayer pushed his theory to extremes and he would like a competent scientist to conduct a serious study of coloration.
1911-02-02
Handwritten draft of Chapter 4 of Life Histories of African Game Animals. Theodore Roosevelt argues that followers of Charles Darwin have done a disservice to the theory of evolution by asserting the over-arching importance of natural selection in bringing about the evolution of species. The coloration of animals is one phenomenon often used to illustrate the importance of natural selection – i.e. the animals’ color traits (striped, dark, light) help to conceal it from its predators and therefore enable it to survive. Roosevelt details his observations of African game animals to contest such theories, concluding that natural selection has played a minor part in developing the coloration of these animals.
1910
Theodore Roosevelt asks ornithologist William Brewster to send him a copy of The Birds of the Cambridge Region. He is pleased at what Brewster said about his African Game Trails. Roosevelt has been so busy the past few years he has not been able to focus on natural history but now he is free and working on a pamphlet about bird and mammal coloration. He criticizes Abbott Handerson Thayer’s book and invites Brewster to lunch.
1911-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt writes Thomas Barbour, the curator of reptiles and amphibians at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, to complain about Allen’s attack on Roosevelt’s article about animal coloration. He may be referring to Barbour’s colleague Glover M. Allen. He defends his article and also cites Abbott Handerson Thayer’s work. Roosevelt feels The Auk should be ashamed of publishing Allen’s piece and tells Barbour to show this letter to any ornithologists he wishes. He wants Barbour to come to Oyster Bay so they can do experiments with black and white cloths.
1912-12-03
John Burroughs gives Theodore Roosevelt feedback on his book. Animal coloration is discussed. Burroughs mentions another book he is reading that he thinks Roosevelt would enjoy. Burroughs and his wife left Pasadena and arrived safely to their destination.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1910
Theodore Roosevelt would like to know if John Burroughs got the pamphlet on concealing coloration. Roosevelt hopes that Burroughs will include in his coming volume of sketches an account of the time they spent together at Pine Knot, including the birds they spotted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-22
Theodore Roosevelt argues against some of Abbott Handerson Thayer’s conclusions regarding the protective coloration of animals. Roosevelt believes that Thayer pushed his theory to extremes and he would like a competent scientist to conduct a serious study of coloration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt would like C. Hart Merriam to come to New York with Edward William Nelson and spend a night with Roosevelt. Roosevelt could invite Charles Sheldon and others, and they could discuss concealing coloration.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-19
Theodore Roosevelt finished Douglas Dewar and Frank Finn’s “delightful and illuminating book.” He sends his pamphlet, which criticizes Abbott Handerson Thayer’s “preposterous work” and uniquely examines the theory of concealing coloration. Roosevelt agrees with Dewar and Finn’s points of over-theorizing and their emphasis on experiments and first-hand field observations. Additionally, he sends his article addressing Alfred Russel Wallace’s “preposterous theory” about antelope horns. He cautiously dissects several of the authors’ points, including dark coloration’s relation to aggression and the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-02
Theodore Roosevelt thanks J. H. Patterson for the interesting clipping. He thinks a uniform coloration provides the best concealment for animals, whereas white is conspicuous.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-25
Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Abbott Handerson Thayer’s experiments while in New York City during the first week of December. However, he wishes Thayer would view his experiments from the practical standpoint that depending on the weather to prove them is contrary to what animals do. Additionally, animal coloration and concealment theories cannot go against established behavior patterns. Roosevelt elaborates on these and other points in his pamphlet. Thayer is welcome to visit Roosevelt at Oyster Bay. Record contains two copies of the letter, the final one and the original with edits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt sends Frederick Courteney Selous an article he wrote for The Outlook and directs him to the footnote about Alfred Russel Wallace’s statement about antelope horns. He finds Wallace and naturalists like him absurd in their writings about protective coloration and similar notions. They develop theories without having practical knowledge. Kermit Roosevelt’s hunts were successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-24
Theodore Roosevelt tried to have Stewart Edward White out for lunch with Carl Ethan Akeley and Delia J. Akeley. He asks if he can share White’s comments about the sable antelope with Edmund Heller. Roosevelt feels naturalists have gone to extremes in creating new species without evidence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-08
Theodore Roosevelt looked up the Auk as Thomas Barbour suggested and was amused by Abbott Handerson Thayer’s allusion to Barbour and John C. Phillips. Thayer has likely seen Roosevelt’s pamphlet and is welcome to turn his wrath towards him. Roosevelt does not understand how naturalists continue to take Thayer seriously and hopes Barbour and Phillips will make a serious attack against him and his dishonesty.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt sends C. H. Stigand a pamphlet he wrote on protective coloration in animals. He hopes Stigand enjoyed his trip with Frederick Courteney Selous and that the latter got good specimens of the giant eland. He discusses the differences between the ordinary eland and the giant eland and contemplates the coloration of Mrs. Gray’s waterbuck. Roosevelt makes “a special plea” to Stigand, asking him to write another book that includes his personal experiences, such as the time a lion mauled him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt has not heard from Frederick Courteney Selous for some time and wants to hear how his safari in the Lado Enclave went. He hopes Selous killed a giraffe as he is curious about what species is in the area and that he solved the questions of Mrs. Grey’s waterbuck. Roosevelt encourages Selous to write a book on his experiences and praises his previous works, especially as other hunter-naturalists’ books are “utterly dry.” He sends a copy of his pamphlet on protective coloration in animals and his follow-up article. Kermit Roosevelt misses Africa and is currently hunting in Mexico, with a trip to New Brunswick planned for September. Roosevelt wants Selous and his wife, Marie Catherine Gladys Selous, to visit him at Sagamore Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt sends Alfred E. Pease a pamphlet he wrote on protective coloration in animals, which he also sent to Frederick Courteney Selous, C. H. Stigand, and Edward North Buxton. “Homesick for the wilderness,” Kermit is out hunting in the Mexican desert and will soon finish his course at Harvard. Edmund Heller wrote Roosevelt about Paul James Rainey’s lion hunt using bear hounds. Unfortunately, Leslie J. Tarlton and V. M. Newland are in poor health. Roosevelt has “settled down into a perfectly quiet life” and does not “intend ever again to go away from Sagamore Hill.” He shares his recent rowing trip with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-15
Theodore Roosevelt found R. J. Cuninghame’s recent letter “extremely interesting” and was particularly amused at the Swedish scientists’ decision to leave the elephants alone. The description of elephant behavior was intriguing. He is glad the Holland rifle worked and hopes Cuninghame likes Stewart Edward White. Edmund Heller recently wrote about Paul James Rainey’s success hunting lions with dogs and sent his pamphlet about white rhinoceros. However, Roosevelt is irritated that Heller did not describe the giant eland specimens. Roosevelt sends his pamphlet on animal coloration and expresses concern about Leslie J. Tarlton’s and V. M. Newland’s health.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-11
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary notifies Professor Osborn that he would like to have lunch with him and talk to him about his work on concealing coloration. If it is possible, he would like to talk with J. A. Allen as well that day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-25
Theodore Roosevelt is working on the article, but is not sure if Henry Fairfield Osborn would care to publish it. Roosevelt is not doing much research in other books, because he would like it to be based on what he has observed. Roosevelt also believes there have been facts on the cougar that have been overlooked.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-08