An Introduction to the Birds of Pennsylvania

"An Introduction to the Birds of Pennsylvania" by George Miksch Sutton is a scientific publication written in the late 1920s. The book serves as a beginner's guide to the avian species found in Pennsylvania, offering simplified descriptions and insights into bird identification and observation. It aims to bridge the gap for novice bird enthusiasts who wish to expand their knowledge of local bird species in a user-friendly manner. The opening of the book sets the stage for an accessible exploration of Pennsylvania’s birdlife. Sutton introduces the purpose of the manual, emphasizing that it is designed for those new to bird study or wishing to enhance their understanding of the birds in different regions of the state. He outlines practical advice for effective birdwatching, including selecting a few species to focus on and documenting observations in a notebook. The manual encourages hands-on engagements, urging readers to learn bird songs and recognize birds by their distinct features, further solidifying the reader's interest in the ornithological diversity of Pennsylvania. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Miksch Sutton was an American ornithologist and bird artist. He published numerous technical papers in ornithology as well as more popular works illustrated with his own art. His early artistic work was inspired and tutored by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. In 1931, he was the first ornithologist to find the eggs of the Harris's sparrow, one of the last North American birds to have its nest and eggs described. In 1935, he was part of the team of Arthur Augustus Allen during an expedition to the Singer Tract in Louisiana to make sketches of ivory-billed woodpecker. He did extensive field work in the Arctic, Oklahoma, Labrador, and Mexico. He received his doctorate from Cornell University and held academic posts at the University of Michigan and the University of Oklahoma, Norman. The George M. Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma was named after him.