Voyages and seabirds
Alexander graduated in natural sciences at Cambridge in 1909. Voyages to Australia and work there fostered a lasting interest in seabirds, particularly southern petrels and their distribution at sea.
Birds of the Ocean, published in 1928, organized material for identification in a portable guide. A substantially revised second edition appeared in 1954.
Comparing geographical distributions
Alexander also contributed to The Handbook of British Birds. After F. C. R. Jourdain’s death in 1940 he assumed parts of the work, particularly material on distribution outside Britain.
His reference writing thus served observers identifying birds at sea as well as readers comparing species’ geographical ranges.
References: [2]
From census work to the EGI
Alexander directed the Oxford Bird Census. When the Edward Grey Institute was formally established in 1938, he became its first director, connecting cooperative observation and reference work with university research.
David Lack succeeded him in 1945. Alexander then turned to the library, continuing to support the preservation and use of ornithological material.
References: [3]
Collections and editing
Alexander’s personal collection formed the library’s early nucleus. It was named for him in 1947, and he remained librarian until 1955.
He also joined the British Birds editorial team in later life. His contributions included the books, journal work and collections on which other observers and researchers depended.