American Ornithologist
1863-1948

Florence Augusta Merriam Bailey was born in Locust Grove, New York. Bailey was an important ornithologist, who spent nearly fifty years observing, protecting, and writing about birds.

The natural setting of her home in the country inspired Bailey's love of nature. Her interest in wildlife was encouraged by her family who also loved natural history. Bailey was educated in private school and then attended Smith College from 1882 to 1886. Although she did not follow a degree course at Smith, she was later awarded a bachelor's of arts degree by Smith in 1921. While at Smith, Bailey organized one of the nation's first Audubon Societies and worked to end the era's fashion craze of decorating women's hats with bird feathers and even entire birds. She wrote many articles on birds for Audubon Magazine, and these articles formed the basis for her first...