Chico, George, the Birds, and Me: The Mexican Travelogue of a Woman Naturalist, 1948-1949 (Volume 43)

Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment Series

by Dorothy Chapman Saunders, Jesus G. Franco Pizana (Epilogue), Henry M. Reeves (Editor)

When a mysterious manila envelope reached the hands of Henry “Milt” Reeves, no one could have anticipated the story that waited inside. Enclosed he found a manuscript written half a century earlier and yellowed with age. Each fragile page unfolded the first-person story of a trip Dorothy Chapman Saunders had taken to Mexico in 1948 and 1949 with her husband and seasoned ornithologist, George, to conduct field surveys of waterfowl and white-winged doves for the U.S. government.

In Chico, George, the Birds, and Me, Saunders adeptly describes the birds they saw and the survey work they did. She also charts the other details of their journey as they traveled in a jeep they dubbed “Chico.” A gifted naturalist, Saunders offers an engaging, lively account that reflects her education, experiences, and many capabilities as a traveler, newspaper reporter, journalist, marksman, pilot, and scientist. Her observations will give new insight to those interested in natural history, ornithology, adventure, travel in Mexico, and women in science.

248 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned sooo much about Mexico and its history reading this book! Definitely an interesting read if you like nature, history, and travel subjects. Dorothy must have been such a smart and amazing person in life. A bit of a slower read but nice to set down and come back to as it's diary form and you can read a day or two at a time.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book of diary entries of a birding expedition to Mexico in the late 40's. Interesting anecdotes of rural life in Mexico.