Mirafra degeni Ogilvie-Grant, 1902 (1 Viewer)

[Taphrospilus]

Mirafra degeni Ogilvie-Grant, 1902 OD here

The type were collected at Hiressa 8800 feet, between Adis Ababa and Lake Tsana, on 20th June, by Mr. E. Degen.

The Eponym Dictionary of Birds claims:

Flappet Lark sp. Mirafra degeni Ogilvie-Grant, 1902 NCR [JS Mirafra rufocinnamomea]
J. J. Edward Degen (1852–1922) was born in Basel and died in London. He collected reptiles, mammals and and fish in East Africa (c.1895–1905) and was in Ethiopia (1902). After leaving Africa he worked as an articulator/taxidermist at the BMNH, having previously worked for the National Museum in Melbourne (1894). A reptile and an amphibian are named after him.

The Key to Scientific Names

Edward J. E. Degen (1852-1922) Swiss taxidermist, collector in Abyssinia 1902 (syn. Mirafra rufocinnamomea).

A small obituary here. If Hubert Massey Whittell correct:

DEGEN, Edward John James (1852-1922). A Swiss, who was born at Basle in March, 1852, and educated in Basle and Paris. In November, 1892, he joined the staff of the National Museum, Melbourne, as an steologist, but resigned in 1894. On August 14, 1899, the British Museum, the staff of which he later joined, purchased from him 67 skins and birds in spirit from South Australia. An expert taxidermist, he travelled extensively on collecting trios, notably in Africa. Observations by him on the trachea of Stictonetta naevosa were published by A. J. Campbell in The Ibis , 1899 : 362-364 . He died at Basle on December 10, 1922.

Edward John James does not sound very Suisse. Would expect Eduard Johannes Jakob (or something similar). As well J. E. we find in The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles and The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians

• Crotaphopeltis degeni (Boulenger, 1906) OD here
• Degen's toad Amietophrynus vittatus Boulenger, 1906 [Alt. Lake Victoria toad]

 

[mb1848]

The reptikle database says: "a collector born in Basel and who died in London."

 

[PScofield]

His naturalised British name was Edward John James (attached). He died in London and his death is registered in Fulham.

He was born 2 March 1852.

Johann Jakob Eduard Degen
Gender:	Male
Birth Date:	2 March 1852
Baptism Date:	28 March 1852
Baptism Place:	Baselland, Switzerland
Father:	Johann Jakob Degen
Mother:	Anna Maria Frey