This time of year, you’ll notice birds nesting in trees, eaves, shrubs, and sometimes on the ground. Many years ago, one local young man began to notice the nests. He would crawl on his stomach through the thicket sometimes to get to a good nest. His egg collection became substantial, especially since he would gather every egg in the nest, not just one. This boy’s name was Ed Davis, and he eventually turned his hobby into something more.
Davis began to travel to compile eggs from other places, not just Cooke County. He ended up in places from Mexico to Alaska, and finally settled down in Louisiana. Davis was particularly interested in birds whose migration path would take them through America. Davis worked for the Louisiana State University Extension Service and visited schools throughout the state in his efforts to educate kids about the natural world.
Davis sold his collection of Cooke County bird eggs to the Smithsonian Institute, adding to their many thousands of eggs. Modern bird observers can look at the Smithsonian’s website to participate in a “Neighborhood Birdwatch,” where you observe the nesting process and record data. Today, observation is the name of the game- we don’t want to disturb the bird, or take her eggs like Davis did in the 1940s. Cooke County is home to many amazing birds. You might see Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers, Great Blue Herons, or Pileated Woodpeckers. Even just the simple magic of a House Sparrow building and caring for her nest is a miracle to see.
This project is made possible by grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and with the help of UNT Libraries.
Gainesville Daily Register Digitization Project 