Symons's Drakensberg Siskin (1 Viewer)

Regarding Mr. Symons commemorated in the apparently hard-to-place:

• Drakensberg Siskin (Pseudochloroptila/Serinus/Carduelis) Crithagra symonsi ROBERTS 1916 (here) as "Spinus symonsi" a k a Symons's Siskin

Amongst some birds recently sent for identification to the Transvaal Museum by Mr. R. E. Symons, Superintendent of the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve, were two specimens of a very distinct new species of Siskin. Upon being informed of the fact, Mr. Symons was kind enough to present this pair, two more pairs, and a clutch of eggs of this bird to the Museum, and I have therefore great pleasure in identifying the discovery with his name : ...

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The Eponym Dictionary of Birds (2014) says he was "Roden E. Symons (1884–1974)", here ... today's HBW Alive Key is a bit more careful, with "Roden E. Symons (1884-?1974)" ... and the Book; Botanical Exploration Southern Africa, by Gunn & Todd, 1981 (here) is equally cautious with: "Symons, Roden E. (1884–ca.1974)".

But according to the Biographical Database of Southern African Science (here) he´s: Mr. Roden Edward Symons (1884–1972), naturalist and game warden, collector of birds, mammals and plants ... etc., etc..

Born 9 July 1884, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa ... died in 1972, same place.

Also claimed here and here (with a Photo!): "Died September 28, 1972 in Pietermaritzburg, ..."

Thereby, based on the above, I assume he died in 1972.

For what it´s worth!

Björn

Only as Guttera edouardi symonsi Roberts , 1917 OD here is not mentioned in #1

The type series (of which T.M. no. 11585 is the type) was taken at Karkloof (3,500ft.), Natal, by Mr. R. E. Symons, after whom I have pleasure in naming the subspecies.

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The text in The link for The Eponym Dictionary of Birds claims:

Symons's Siskin Serinus symonsi J. A. Roberts, 1916 [Alt. Drakensberg Siskin; Syn. Crithagra symonsi]
Crested Guineafowl ssp. Guttera edouardi symonsi Roberts, 1917 NCR [JS Guttera pucheraniedouardi]
Roden E. Symons (1884–1974) was a South African game warden and collector.

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So nothing really sensational new.

Roden Edward SYMONS
Birth 9 Jul 1884 Claridge, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Marriage 27 Apr 1910 Lidgetton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Death 26 Sep 1972 Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa