Your TR Source
W. P. Pycraft thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his sharp criticism of Abbott Thayer’s book on animal coloration, calling it a public service. He discusses his own work on birds, Darwinian views, and a past attempt to send Roosevelt a copy. Pycraft expresses a desire to meet again and recalls their prior meeting at the museum.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-13
Samuel Henshaw of the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge, Massachuesetts writes to R. W. G. Vail of the Roosevelt House Library and Museum informing him that the museum has the Roosevelt publications he was inquiring about. A handwritten note identifies the articles as “Birds of Adirondacks and Oyster Bay.”
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1926-01-06
A note on the provenance of a rare broadside printed by Theodore Roosevelt while at Harvard University. Titled Birds of Oyster Bay, it was purchased for the library from the library of Dr. C. Hart Merriam.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1920-1930
A list of birds from Oyster Bay, New York, including descriptions and handwritten notes, written by Theodore Roosevelt.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1879-03
Catalog of birds observed primarily around the Saint Regis Lakes in the Adirondack Mountains between 1874 and 1877.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1877-10
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; Minot, H. D. (Henry Davis), 1859-1890
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
The bird that Theodore Roosevelt wrote John Burroughs about yesterday was a Cape May warbler. Roosevelt would like to know if it is a common bird.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-05
Theodore Roosevelt appreciates the article John Burroughs wrote about him. Roosevelt is doing the best he can “to make good what you have said about my attitude about the big trusts.” Roosevelt went for a walk on the White House grounds with Edith and wishes Burroughs was there to identify the various birds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-04
Theodore Roosevelt lets Joseph Bucklin Bishop know he recently wrote to George W. Goethals. Roosevelt did not know that Bishop was an ornithologist. Roosevelt shares that politics are chaos right now and that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt had a bad fall, but is on the road to recovery.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt likes Jonathon S. Prout’s proposal to release skylarks in Southern states, like Florida and Texas, in the winter. However, Roosevelt is uncertain if he has any power to influence in this matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-22
The secretary of Theodore Roosevelt informs Alice Hall Walter that Roosevelt is too busy and cannot spare the time to give her information about the birds of Sagamore Hill. The secretary then redirects Walter to The Outlook, where Roosevelt previously published an article on English Song Birds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Frank M. Chapman about the Popular Science article and a criticism of Roosevelt’s “Appendix E” by Thayer, in a letter to the Tribune. He also finds Chapman’s Trinidad article very interesting and disagrees on several points about the birds of Trinidad, although he concedes that Chapman’s experience and training is greater than his own. Roosevelt further discusses his arguments about the coloration, cover, behavior, and habit of birds in the United States, Africa, and Latin America. He thanks Chapman for the interest in his article, thoroughly enjoyed his visit the other day, and will take his notes on the galley sheets into advisement. He returns The Awk and Osborn’s copy of Nature. In the addendum, Roosevelt answers Thayer’s criticism in the Popular Science magazine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-29
Theodore Roosevelt responds to a previous note from Edward B. Clark in which an item was offered. Roosevelt states that he is interested in the unidentified item and recommends that Clark seek out ornithologist Cherry Kearton via the London directory for advice.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-05
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Susan Dixon with thanks. He knows the white-throated sparrow well. Roosevelt hopes Dixon will read the first chapter of his autobiography, which describes his mother Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, who grew up in the south in similar surroundings to Dixon. If she is ever in the neighborhood, Roosevelt hopes Dixon will stop by.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt is happy to accept an invitation to visit John Milliken Parker in New Orleans. His sons Archie and Quentin will not be able to come, but Roosevelt will have his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, as a traveling companion. Roosevelt and Parker will spend three or four days visiting bird refuges along the gulf and in the delta before rejoining Mrs. Roosevelt in the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-31
If Theodore Roosevelt comes across a copy of a pamphlet he wrote entitled “The Birds of Oyster Bay,” he will send it to Harry M. Tod.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-12-19
Theodore Roosevelt knows that the blackbird was really a black thrush. He wishes it could be naturalized here. Roosevelt is glad that Richard Henry Tierney remembers his article on English birds. In the ninth chapter of his autobiography, Roosevelt speaks of the birds around Sagamore Hill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1914-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt writes John Burroughs about the practical application of the term “species” to different animals. Roosevelt is also interested in Burroughs’ account of the woodchucks and thistle-finches, and updates Burroughs on the birds he has seen throughout the season. Roosevelt hopes that “the spirit” will move Burroughs to write about his visit to Pine Knot.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-28
Theodore Roosevelt saw a white sparrow on the grounds of the White House, the first he recollects seeing there. Roosevelt often wishes that he could ask John Burroughs about a particular bird’s call.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-17
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that John Burroughs is going on a trip to California and Honolulu. He asks that Burroughs give his love to John Muir. Roosevelt feels confident about the preparations for the Africa trip and will try to find information about the bird songs and nesting of the swallows. Roosevelt put his heart into the preparation of the Lincoln speech and is glad that Burroughs likes it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-24