A Science Paper?

Francis Gilman Blake
Born: February 22, 1887, Mansfield Valley, Pennsylvania
Died: February 1, 1952, Washington, DC
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather In-Law

In Francis Gilman Blake's biographical memoir, it says this:

It was not by accident that as a boy he roamed the woods and developed an enthusiasm for nature, particularly for birds; or that he took a year off between college and medical school to spend the winter in a log cabin in the Maine woods, for he was a born naturalist and he published, at the age of 15 (with his brother), his first scientific paper, on an ornithological subject. It appeared in The Auk in 1902.

I think this is what they are referring to (from the Auk 1902):

A Winter Record for the Flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus) in Berkshire County.--In 'The Birds of Berkshire County,' by Dr. W. Faxon and Mr. R. Hoffmann, the latest autumn date for this species is given as October 24, and the earliest spring record as April 10. We observed at Williamstown on December 12, 1900, a single bird which may have been wintering, and on April 6, 1901, the first Flicker arrived.-- Francis G. and Maurice C. Blake, Brookline, Mass.

If this is what they are referring to, I'm not sure I would call it a scientific paper. But it is impressive for a 15 year old and did contribute important information for the birding world. And, as an amateur birder myself, a correct identification can be very difficult and requires a lot of knowledge and confidence.