In 1919, the book by Harry Harris was finally published with the title as "The Birds of the Kansas City Region. In the "Preface" of this book, written by Harry Harris, we detect the friendship and appreciation that Harry felt for Ralph Hoffmann. Printed below is a quoted passage by Harry which is a very nice excerpt to show the bond between Harry Harris and Ralph Hoffmann:
"Credit is due several local ornithologists for the generous loan of notes and material which have greatly aided in the working out of migration periods and in authenticating the occurrence of a few rare species. These courtesies are here acknowledged with thanks. The greatest stimulus to the work has been the field-companionship of Mr. Ralph Hoffmann. The vast fund of ornithological and book lore possessed by this enthusiastic and kindly naturalist has been a constant inspiration." "
Studying history is always fascinating, but rarely is the focus biographical, much less a story about nature, or the environment, or about a naturalist from the past. In my study of the biography of Ralph Hoffmann and Harry Harris, I was very interested to learn that not only did Ralph Hoffmann move to southern California, but that Harry Harris also moved to southern California. And they both move there during the 1920s, both making important contributions to birds and science, just as they did in Kansas City, Missouri.
The few notes assembled here regarding the biography of Harry Harris, as well as the history of the Kansas City Bird Club are meant to be a "vehicle" to attract the attention of birders and naturalists, as well as historians of Missouri and Kansas City, and of course, those who may be interested in the biographies of Ralph Hoffmann and Harry Harris.
It was while reading some of Ralph Hoffmann's early writings on birds in Missouri, that I noticed that he mentioned an organization known as the Kansas City Bird Club. Ralph Hoffmann barely hinted at the exitence of a "Club", not unlike Harry Harris, who also only hinted at the existence of a "bird club" in Kansas City.
Ralph Hoffmann hinted at the "Club" existence in 1916, in the scientific natural history journal known as "Auk." He penned the article from Kansas City, where he resided, and also worked as the headmaster of a private school. Apparently, Ralph Hoffmann was at least somewhat active in the Kansas City Bird Club.
The context of the quoted passage can be viewed in its entirety in the article cited at the end of this article. Here, I will only quote the sentence that Ralph Hoffmann wrote that mentions the Kansas City Bird Club:
"On December 31, 1915, an immature Purple Gallinule (Ionornis martinica) was captured alive on the flats near Kansas City, Mo., and given to Miss Clements of Independence, Mo., who brought the bird to the attention of the Kansas City Bird Club."
Approximately three years later, in 1919, Ralph Hoffmann wrote an "Introduction" regarding the birds of Kansas City for a monograph by Harry Harris which is entitled: "The Birds of Kansas City." In the preface, Harry Harris acknowledges Ralph Hoffmann for his knowledge of birds and for birding with him together. In a Christmas Bird Count (CBC) completed in December 1916, it is noted that Ralph Hoffmann and Harry Harris are listed together as 2 of 4 constituents.
These preliminary notes lead to an interest to know more about the Kansas City Bird Club, as well as Harry Harris, and his monograph on the birds of Kansas City. At this time, the Ballona Institute has acquired the monograph by Harry Harris for its library and archives because it will help unravel and tie together the linkages of the study of the souther California coast and its bight, including Catalina Island, Carpinteria, Playa Del Rey, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and Los Angeles County.
In conclusion, it appears that Ralph Hoffmann was a member, and perhaps a founder, of the "Kansas City Bird Club." Was this "Club" a precursor to the current chapter of the Audubon Society, which is known as the Burroughs Audubon Society of Kansas City? And did Ralph Hoffmann or Harry Harris write articles for the Kansas City Bird Club? Were Ralph Hoffmann or Harry Harris officers of the club, or simply members?
