Tweeters,

Dr. James N.M. (Jamie) Smith, Professor of Zoology and ornithologist
at the University of BC, passed away at his home on July 18, following an
11-year battle with cancer. Jamie was born in Scotland in 1944, and
completed his B.Sc. at Edinburgh University, and his Ph.D. at Oxford
University in 1971. He joined the faculty at the University of British
Columbia in 1973, and spent the rest of his career there.

Jamie was an internationally-recognized ornithologist and ecologist,
known best for his long-term work on the population ecology of Song
Sparrows. He also carried out research and published on many other
subjects, including the impacts of cowbird parasitism on songbirds, and the
dynamics of boreal forest ecosystems. He won two prestigious awards:
The Doris Huestis Spiers Award (Society of Canadian Ornithologists, 2000)
and the William Brewster Award (American Ornithologists' Union, 2002),
both for excellence in ornithological research. He also took a strong
interest in endangered species and conservation, and developed the
first course in Conservation Biology at a Canadian university.

Jamie was also highly regarded as a teacher and mentor to graduate
students. More than 30 students earned M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees under his
tutelage. He also spoke frequently about his work to the Vancouver Natural
History Society and other groups of amateurs.

Jamie was an outstanding ornithologist with a warm personality and a
gift for humour. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net