Abstract:
The first naturalist at Yosemite was not a government employee but a civilian, Herbert Sonn, who became known as “The Birdman”. He knew birds well enough to lecture on them, and could even summon them to his side to feed them. Anyone who also wants to attract birds and study them should appreciate this book, well illustrated with both pictures of him and the little bird caricatures that he fashioned. Also recounted are the tales of people employed at Yosemite when Sonn was there, who confirm the amazing rapport he had with birds, and witnessed the enchanting mix of his personality and the behavior of certain birds.