Roger Tory Peterson

“Birds have wings; they're free; they can fly where they want when they want. They have the kind of mobility many people envy.”

“The birds of the world are a tractable group of 9,000 species that will tell us most of what we need to know about the health of the environment.”

“Birds are an indicator of the environment. If they are in trouble, we know we'll soon be in trouble.”

“The love for birds is the commonest of all the outdoor enthusiasms.”

“I do not believe that we have the right to exterminate any living thing.”

“The list is the thing.”

“In a world where we are everywhere reminded of the transitory nature of life, it is encouraging to be reminded of the eternal renewal of life.”

“The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him.”

“To see a bird is a joy; to know a bird is a privilege.”

“I'd rather look at a bird than anything else.”