The Avian Collection of the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum

Recently, I had the immense pleasure of perusing the drawers of the avian collection at the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum located on the campus of the University of Montana. In each of drawers, there were lined with preserved skins of many birds, including representation of almost the entire Montana native bird community. The specimens date from near the turn of the last century until the recent past. Collectors such as Morton J. Elrod, C. F. Hedges, Philip L. Wright, and Jeff Marks have all of their specimens in the museum. Visiting this place opens the book of the Montana ornithological annuals where you can almost feel the hands preparing the study skins.

Please visit the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum excellent blog at http://umzoology.tumblr.com/