IN MEMORIAM: JOHN L. BULL, 1914-2006

Abstract

reserves. One example is the “Teppes de Verbois” near the city of Geneva, where meanders of the Rhone River had created a habitat mosaic harboring a high biotic diversity. The area had been severely damaged by a dam and gravel pits. In addition, the government wanted to install a nuclear power plant there. Conservationists in Geneva, led by Geroudet and others, stopped the planned nuclear plant and reduced the gravel extraction. Further, they persuaded the authorities to fi nance the ecological restoration of the area. Recreated environments include ponds, one of which was named “The Geroudet Pond.” A second involvement stemmed from his belief, which he backed by aggressive action, that species that had become extinct through human activities could be reintroduced. The Lammergeier was his prime objective for reintroduction. A program similar to the one that saved the California Condor succeeded, and the Lammergeier breeds again in the Alps. Geroudet was my mentor in ornithology. He emphasized fi eld techniques, note taking, and how to write papers, and introduced me to the ornithological literature and to fi gures like Lars von Haartman, Reginald Moreau, and Alexander Wetmore. Under a gruff demeanor, Geroudet hid a so er side. Even though not wealthy, he donated thousands of dollars from book royalties to worthy causes in ornithology and conservation. Carmen, his wife since 1950, was the ideal companion. Although she liked operas and he preferred opere as, they shared a love of travel and a passion for food. As a result of Paul’s oenological knowledge, he was inducted in 1964 into Burgundy’s illustrious group of wine connoisseurs, the “Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.” Paul and Carmen Geroudet had no children. Detailed appreciations of Geroudet’s extraordinary life and work have appeared in Nos Oiseaux (54: 3–28, 2007, with a partial bibliography) and Der Ornithologische Beobachter (104:70–74, 2007).