I've got Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds published in l941. When
he and James Fisher, a British ornithologist, were taking a trip across
the nation, they stopped at the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge near
Brawley, CA in l952 where I was the assistant refuge manager. He
autographed my copy of his book. He was a very nice fellow. Fisher
leaved something to be desired.

Peterson said they hadn't seen a Burrowing Owl yet. No sooner said than
done as I pointed out one sitting on a fence post. Peterson got out of
our car with a 16mm camera and was taking a lot of movie footage. Fisher
was fidgeting in the car, until he couldn't stand it any longer and he
growled, "Let the dog see the rabbit, Roger." Peterson said, "Just a
few moments more." Then Fisher got out and Peterson in the car, and he
said somewhat sheepishly, "Sometimes we bird photographers are not too
compatible." Ed O'neill, the refuge manager, and I got a kick out of
that.

They spent several days with us, and Peterson regaled us with some
stories. A regular fellow. It was a real honor knowing him.

Gene Kridler
Sequim, Wa..