Instant Views [o.] Living with Birds & Birds as Individuals | Photos by Len Howard , 1950 -56

Len Howard, 1950- From Birds as Individuals, 1952

Len Howard, 1950- From Birds as Individuals, 1952

Len Howard, Opening a matchbox, 1950 – From Birds as Individuals, 1952

Len Howard, Living with Birds, 1956

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Gwendolen Howard (1894 – 1973) was a British naturalist and musician. She is known for the unique amateur bird studies that were published in various periodicals and two books under her pseudonym, Len Howard.

“Musicologist Len Howard conducted an 11-year study of bird music from her cottage in the English countryside. She found that birds were individuals and their behaviour was variable and flexible. It wasn’t an easy assignment. Moore had to photograph her from the bottom of the garden using a 300mm telephoto lens, as she insisted his presence would disturb the birds.”

State Library of New South Wales