Mr./Reverend Cowan, and "his" Bird/ssp. (1 Viewer)

[Björn Bergenholtz]

Here's a quick look at Reverend/Missionary William Deans Cowan, commemorated in ...

cowani as in:
• as in the (somewhat debated) fairly recent split species (or ssp.) Malagasy/Madagascar Plain (Brown-throated Sand) Martin/Swallow Riparia (paludicola) cowani SHARPE 1882 (here), as "Cotile Cowani":

The Rev. Deans Cowan has lately been exploring the Forest of Ankáfana in the Betsileo country, Madagascar, and has brought thence a very large and interesting collection in all branches of natural history. Amongst the birds there is an apparently undescribed species of Cotile, which I propose to call, after its discoverer,

COTILE COWANI, sp. n​

[...]
I may add that Mr. Deans Cowan brought a large series of this new Martin ...
[...]

In today's Key we find this Eponym exlained as:

cowani
Revd. William Deans Cowan (1844-?1923) Scottish missionary, naturalist in Madagascar 1874-1881 (subsp. Riparia paludicola).

However, here (and elsewhere) they claim his Death year as "1924", while others (most?) indeed says "1923" (even without the question mark) ... ?

Either way, also see here, or here (bottom of, for example, pp. 10, or 33) where we're told: "William Deans Cowan was born in 1844 in Newbattle, Midlothian and died on 9 Apr 1924 in Beyton, Suffolk at age 80."

Looks pretty detailed to me.

I assume its "our guy" ... or?

Anyone who can confirm it?

Or deny it, either way?

Björn

PS. He's also commemorated in several Non-Birds, like:
• Cowan's Shrew Tenrec Microgale cowani THOMAS 1882 (here)

As well as in various Frogs, like;
• Mantella cowanii BOULENGER 1882 (here)
• Platypelis cowanii BOULENGER 1882 (in the same Work/Book, on p.471, here)
• Mantidactylus cowanii BOULENGER, 1882, as "Rana cowanii" (presented on p. 463, here, even if not marked as New)

••• ... and many, many Plants.

/B

​

 

[PScofield]

Yes 1924