William C. Dilger papers, 1950-1970.
Collection Number: 21-18-4214

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
William C. Dilger papers, 1950-1970.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
21-18-4214
Abstract:
Collection consists of research notebooks, photographs, slides, 16mm films and some additional papers and publications.
Creator:
Dilger, William C.
Quanitities:
6 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

William C. Dilger '46, M.S. '51, Ph.D. '55, was a professor of neurobiology and behavior. He served as the director of research at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dilger's research focused on the genus Agapornis, which included the small parrots known as lovebirds. He studied behaviors and whether they are learned versus inherited.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Collection consists of research notebooks, photographs, slides, 16mm films and some additional papers and publications. Much of the material relates to the study of birds in the genus Agapornis. The film collection consists of nearly 200 16mm films, mainly from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Films include several different species of lovebirds as well as a few others. Roseicollis, cana, personata fischeri, are all included. Other species include, Aequidens portalegrensis, Cichlasoma meeki, Trichogaster trichoptetus, Spinus tristis, Loriculus galgulus, Pterocnemia pennata, Betta slendens, and many, many others. Films depict behaviors such as preening, courtship, mating, fighting, etc.. A card index to all the films is included. Photographs, slides and negatives includes images of birds from various locations including South Africa, but also of individuals such as colleagues at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and other scientists. Mainly Agapornis and Rhea birds, but also other birds and animals including amphibians. Slide trays include indices in lids, slides are numbered and organized in the trays. Slides of research facilities include the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen, aviaries, zoos or other buildings in Leiden, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Oxford, Ludwigsburg, Ithaca, Groningen Extensive behavioral fieldnotes in binders, some taken at the Catskill Game Farm, include many notes on Rhea Americana as well as Agapornis and others. Sixteen numbered volumes of notes on Agapornis from 1954 to 1963. Audio reels are mainly of birds, but also some other items including reels from talks in Cambridge at the International Ethological Congress. Lectures by Konrad Lorenz, William Homan Thorpe and others. Additional material includes Data sheets on research, notes on gamopractic experience. Draft sketches and layout for a book on Canada geese will Dilger illustrations. Readings for classes, notebook from Zoology 126, Birds of the World.

RELATED MATERIALS

Several dozen specimens of Agapornis feces on filter papers collected and cataloged by Dilger were removed from the collection.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:

William C. Dilger papers, #21-18-4214. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Cornell University -- : Faculty.
Cornell University. Laboratory of Ornithology
Subjects:
Ornithologists.
Ornithology.
Neurobiology.
Lovebirds.
Animal behavior.
Form and Genre Terms:
Slides.
Film
Photographs.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1
16 field notebooks, Agapornis
1954-1963
Box 2
Research notes
Scope and Contents
Loose notes and data sheets and two blue journal notebooks.
Box 3
Negatives, Slides, Photographs
Scope and Contents
8 large slide boxes with indices inside, several loose packages of slides, several sets of photo negatives, and a number of loose photographs of various bird and non-bird subjects.
Box 1
Card Index to Films 1-189
Scope and Contents
Contains descriptive information about the films, including species, date, location, behaviors, etc..
Box 4
Films 1-89
Scope and Contents
Small 16mm film containers. Some films missing
Box 5
Films 90-189, plus others
Scope and Contents
Small 16mm film containers. Some films missing.
Box 6
Audio reels and 3 films
Scope and Contents
14 7" audio reels, 10 5" audio reels, 2 16mm films, 1 8mm film.