Larus heermanni Cassin, 1852 & Melospiza melodia heermanni Baird, SF 1858 (1 Viewer)

[Taphrospilus]

Larus heermanni Cassin, 1852 OD v.6 (1852-1853) - Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia - Biodiversity Heritage Library

I have dedicated this handsome species to my friend Dr. Heermann, as a token of acknowledgement due to his accomplishment as a naturalist, and his great perseverance and success as a scientific traveller.

Melospiza melodia heermanni Baird, SF 1858 OD v.9=pt.2 (1853-1858) - Reports of explorations and surveys - Biodiversity Heritage Library

...labelled Zonotrichia guttata by Dr. Heermann...

The Eponym Dictionary of Birds

Birdwatchers often come across bird names that include a person's name, either in the vernacular (English) name or latinised in the scientific nomenclature. Such names are properly called eponyms, and few people will not have been curious as to who some of these people were (or are).Names such...

books.google.de

Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni Cassin, 1852
Song Sparrow ssp. Melospiza melodia heermanni Baird, 1858

Dr Adolphus Lewis Heermann (1827–1865) was an army physician and naturalist. He came to the attention of Spencer Baird (q.v.) at the USNM, and was assigned to a surveying party for the Pacific Railroad line. Heermann was especially interested in collecting birds' eggs, and he is credited with coining the term 'oology' for the practice. He retired from the army early due to illness and died two years later in a hunting accident when he stumbled and his rifle discharged and killed him. He appears to have looked many years older than he was – the effect, among other things, of syphilis. A mammal is named after him.

The Key to Scientific Names - Birds of the World

Species accounts for all the birds of the world.

birdsoftheworld.org

Dr Adolphus Lewis Heermann (c.1827-1865) US explorer, field naturalist, collector (Larus, subsp. Melospiza melodia).

https://dvoc.org/wp/wp-content/uplo...ting-the-Life-and-Death-of-A.-L.-Heermann.pdf tells us

Dr Adolphus Lewis Heermann (1821-1865)

Adolphus Lewis Heermann, who was born on October 21, 1821 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died on September 27, 1865 in Bexar County, Texas

The mammal named for him is:
Dipodomys heermanni Le Conte, 1853 v.6 (1852-1853) - Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia - Biodiversity Heritage Library

Feel free to add any additional to this thread.

 

[Taphrospilus]

As well just curious why the BOW key is not accepting 1821 as year of birth. Or are there any remaining doubts?

 

[l_raty]

Death record form Orleans Parish (lower right).
He died on 27 Sep 1865, aged 'about' 43 years, 11 months and 6 days.

 

[mb1848]

A 2016 article states October 21, 1821 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died on September 27, 1865 in Bexar County, Texas.
https://dvoc.org/wp/wp-content/uplo...ting-the-Life-and-Death-of-A.-L.-Heermann.pdf .

 

[Taphrospilus]

Sure the sames as in #1: No idea why still a question mark on 1821.

 

[mb1848]

Sorry I just noted. It seems strongly supported 1821. His parents married March 1821. Babies only gestate 7 months right?
Ornithologists of the United States Army Medical Corps .

 

[l_raty]

I have no doubt that 43 years, 11 months and 6 days before 27 Sep 1865 is 21 Oct 1821, indeed. 😉