Harold Frith

Harold James Frith AO (1 April 1921 – 1982) was an Australian administrator and ornithologist. He was born at Kyogle, New South Wales and studied Agricultural Science at Sydney University. He first joined the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry but later transferred to the Division of Wildlife and carried out extensive research on malleefowl, waterfowl, especially magpie geese, and pigeons. He eventually became Chief of the Division and was instrumental in proposals that led to the establishment of Kakadu National Park.

Harrold Frith was a member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU), and prominent among those pressing for reform of the organisation in the late 1960s. He was Secretary-General of the 16th International Ornithological Congress which was held in Canberra in 1974. He was elected a Fellow of the RAOU in 1974. He was an Officer of the Order of Australia.

As well as published scientific papers and technical reports, books he authored or edited include:

• Frith, H.J. (1962). The Mallee-Fowl. The bird that builds an incubator. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.
• Frith, H.J.; & Calaby, J.H. (1969). Kangaroos. Cheshire: Melbourne.
• Frith, H.J. (1973). Wildlife Conservation. Australian Natural Science Library. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.
• Frith, H.J.; & Sawer, Geoffrey. (eds). (1974). The Murray Waters. Man, Nature and a River System. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.
• Frith, H.J. (Ed). (1976). Birds in the Australian High Country. Reed: Sydney.
• Frith, H.J. (Consultant Ed). (1976). Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader's Digest Services: Sydney.
• Frith, H.J.; & Calaby, J.H. (Eds). (1976). Proceedings of the 16th International Ornithological Congress, Canberra, Australia, 12–17 August 1974. Australian Academy of Science: Canberra.
• Frith, H.J. (1977). Waterfowl in Australia. Reed: Sydney.
• Frith, H.J. (1982). Pigeons and Doves of Australia. Rigby.

References

• "RAOU Fellow: Citation. Harold James Frith". Emu 74 (4): 260. 1974. doi:10.1071/MU974259b. 
• Davies, S.J.J.F. (1992). "An Appreciation. Harry Frith". Emu 92 (2): 123–4. doi:10.1071/MU9920123. 
• Robin, Libby (2001). The Flight of the Emu: a hundred years of Australian ornithology 1901–2001. Carlton, Vic: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0-522-84987-3.