Birds Through an Opera Glass in Bloomington, MN

The first-ever field guide to American birds, Florence A. Merriam’s classic
Birds Through an Opera-Glass
remains a highly influential book for modern birdwatching more than 130 years since its initial release.
is Florence A. Merriam’s pioneering field guide to American birds. The first-ever of its kind, originally published in 1889, it laid the foundation for modern birdwatching. Before
, it was commonplace to shoot birds and study their lifeless bodies. Merriam instead advocated studying birds in the wild—through an opera glass rather than a riflescope—to ensure their preservation. With line drawings and detailed descriptions of seventy common species,
remains a favorite of birders, nature lovers, and conservationists to this day.
As the first female member of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Merriam was a trailblazer in the emerging field of birding in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Today she is regarded as an essential early voice for bird conservation, and
shows her important principles put into practice. More than a century later,
continues to guide birders and outdoor enthusiasts who are seeking to enjoy nature without harming it.