This collection consists of materials dated from approximately 1850-1981, but predominantly from 1913-1940, relating to Dr. Casey Albert Wood’s research, writing, correspondence, and personal interest concerning ornithology, vertebrate zoology, memoir and family history, Emma Shearer Wood and Blacker Library collection development, ophthalmology, politics, and current events. Materials relate chiefly to Wood’s “Introduction to the Literature of Vertebrate Zoology” (1921-1956), falconry (1930s), his unpublished memoir (1930s), the development of McGill University’s Emma Shearer Wood and Blacker Libraries (1918-1941), the history of ophthalmology (1925-1936), “Fundus Oculi” (1911-1934), his travels and research expeditions studying birds in their natural habitat (1920-1940), political interests, and correspondence relating to these activities and subjects.

There are approximately 2902 incoming and outgoing pieces of correspondence including letters, postcards, notes, telegrams, and cards. Series 1) Research and writing, contains the largest volume of correspondence relating to “the Introduction to the Literature of Vertebrate Zoology.” While Series 2) Research trips, contains the largest portion of photographs. Other materials in this collection include research notes, manuscripts, page and galley proofs, book and article reprint publications, postcards, artwork, glass plate negatives, book plates, palm leaf manuscripts, artefacts, printed ephemera, clippings, journals, and administration and financial records relating to Wood’s publications or the Emma Shearer Wood and Blacker Libraries.

There are gaps within this collection relating to geographic locations, as not all locations Wood is known to have visited are represented or are only minimally represented. Asian countries, such as China or Japan, are not represented in this collection. While geographic locations that are prominent within the collection are Fiji, Sri Lanka and India.

The series consists of 1) research and writing (ca. 1850-1956); 2) research trips (1920-1937); 3) scrapbooks (1887-1946); 4) collection development (1918-1941); 5) published books (1907-1981); 6) artefacts (191-?, 1920-1937); and 7) glass negative plates (1924, 1927, 1930, 1956).

This series consists of falconry equipment, falconry exhibit labels and cards, a taxidermy young peregrine falcon, and two large burlap envelopes collected by Casey A. Wood from 1920-1937. Also included in this series are two Wolf Envelope Co. (Ohio) allsteel transfer cases manufactured by General Fireproofing Co., Ohio for book binding, found within Wood’s materials (191-?).
The leather falconry equipment and those worn by the young peregrine falcon were made by Otto Kals in Dusseldor-Benrath, Germany approximately in 1930-1937 and the falcon bells were made by Captain Russell Luff Meredith in the United States in 1920. The taxidermy young peregrine falcon in training is mounted on a weathering block and wears a United States Bureau of Biological Survey identification band, indicating that it was acquired legally. The falcon is also wearing a hood, a leash, a swivel, and a jess. A falcon bell is also held with the falcon as well as another leather jess, which is damaged.
Many of the artefacts in this series were purchased by Casey A. Wood due to his interest in falconry during his research with Marjorie Fyfe for the publication “The Art of Falconry,” a translation of Frederick II of Hosenstaufen's “de Arte Vendandi cum Avibus.” The falconry items were gifted to the Redpath Library at McGill University in autumn 1938 by Dr. Casey A. Wood.
The two large burlap envelopes previously held the contents of flat box MSG 1203-2-25, which contains photostats produced by the British Museum of Emperor Frederick II's manuscript “de Arte Venandi cum Avibus,” books I-II. It is evident on one envelope that labels were removed, while the other includes two original labels indicating Persian miniatures and drawings from the "fourteenth to nineteenth century, collected in North India, Bombay, Cairo, and London by Casey A. Wood," were previously contained. These two labels were scratched out and the note "Fred. II" was added.

This item is a cream-coloured ceramic and metal humidor jar with McGill coat of arms and motto, with trim painted in gold. The jar is broken into three pieces, plus the lid.

This item is a stummel (bowl and partial stem) of a pipe, possibly belonging to F. Cyril James.

This series consists of glass plate negatives and other photographic materials with their original boxes relating to the Feather Book, ornithology, falconry, McGill University Library, and Casey Wood. The majority of the glass plates were produced in Berlin, Germany by Agra, while a few were produced in London, England and Toronto, Canada; which is indicated on the boxes the plates were contained in. On many of these boxes, McGill University librarian Dr. G. R. Lomer’s name appears, indicating these plates and photographic materials were used for library-related activities. Most of the plates, photographs, and photographic negatives (1927, 1930, 1956) show pages from the Feather Book by Dionisio Minaggio. Other glass plate negatives and photographic material depict artwork or images relating to ornithology and falconry, a portrait of Casey Wood (1927), Gronvold’s painting of Wood’s parrot John III (1930?), an ornithological archeological exhibit in the Redpath Library (1924), and library stacks in the Redpath Library (1924).

This item is a miniature replica of a McGill Redmen helmet. The helmet is red with white trim and stickers with the McGill coat of arms in white. Includes a business card for manufacturer.

This item is a McGill matchbook, unfolded and without matches inside. The cover is red with a white McGill coat of arms, and "McGill University, Montreal" on the opposite cover.