Product Description
This book-a visual guide to the structure and anatomy of birds-is one of the most heavily illustrated ornithology references ever written. A concise atlas of avian anatomy, it contains more than 200 specially prepared, accurate, and clear drawings that include material never illustrated before. The text is as informative as the drawings; written at a level appropriate to undergraduate students and to bird lovers in general, it explains why birds look and act the way they do. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Not satisfied
The book is o.k., but its condition is definitely not as represented.It was heavily underlined and dirty.

Good for student and merely curious
I bought this book as a gift for a young man getting serious about ornithology.A day after he opened it, I starting flipping through it and was fascinated by the clarity and detail.Two hours later I put it down.This is a book anyone might have on the shelf for reference or for pure entertainment romping through esoteric facts about birds.

Manual of ornithology
Sinthetic, clearly organized, very didactic, great drawings. I would ask for deeper information although the book is coherent and attains 100 % its objective

a great teacher
This is a great overall look into the evolution and biology of birds. I'm using it as a prep for some ornithology and biology courses at university. The book goes through evolution, systematics, biology, physiology, etc. I highly reccomend it for anyone needing to do some brush up work, or as an introduction to many of the topics I've mentioned above. I think it should pretty much be a standard for anyone interested in birds...Hooray for this manual!

good source for avian physiology
This book is excellent for ornithology students and backyard birders alike.It has many detailed illustrations of the skeletal, muscular, and other internal systems of birds in general.The text gives generalinformation on each system and then more detail on specific parts.Iespecially like the sections at the end on binocular use and study skinpreparation ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (15)

Ornithology text
This used book arrived promptly.The condition was fair at best.The binder was damaged, considerable writing and marking was done to the text by the previous owner, and there was no cover.

Awesome
The book was just what I needed.And got it for much cheaper than what the bookstores were selling it for :)

easy to understand
Great book.Explains tech terms.Ties in evolution.Overall very easy to understand.

Great for Bird Lovers
This book has everything you need to know about Birds.It is a great book.

Deception
A book written old style ; it means old pictures , no color pictures
A book for ornithologues,not for birders
A book with many many details on molts , incubation , breeding , anathomy , .... but nothing on wings description
A book revised 2007 , but with nothing really new
... Read more

Product Description
An encyclopedia of ornithology which is endorsed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Experts describe the evolution, biology, behaviour and habitats of the world's birds, drawing on information from the earliest fossil records to the most modern tracking systems. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover two hundred of the world's most spectacular birds in Bird Songs from Around the World, the follow-up to the national best-seller Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song. Drawing from the collection of the world-renowned Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this stunning book features a sleek, built-in digital audio player that showcases each bird's song, as well as illustrated portraits and brief descriptions emphasizing the exceptional vocalizations. From the brilliantly plumed Lilac-breasted Roller in Africa to the flamboyant North American Roseate Spoonbill to Asia's Red Avadavat, Bird Songs from Around the World combines approachable information, beautiful art, and high-quality sound in a distinctive, elegant package.

Listen here
White Bellbird (South America)
Spot-breasted Laughingthrush (Asia)
Greater Potoo (North America) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Perfect gift for grandchild
This was a birthday gift that was perfect for my 7 year-old granddaughter. The only problem was the original secondary seller backed out due to a family emergency (??). The second seller sent the book by media mail, so although the order was made 2 weeks before the birthday, it got there 2 weeks late. She loves the interactive aspect of seeing and reading about the birds and hearing the bird calls.

Bird Songs
The book arrived intact and in great condition.It is sheer pleasure to listen to the birdsongs of birds I have only seen to date.Now, in the early dawn, I can listen to the birds at my window and recognize the species by its song.What joy!

Bird Songs Book
Item was sent to grandson, so I did not see it.Learned that the batteries were dead ---- however, since this was a NEW item, and thus wrapped in celophane, I don't blame the merchant for that.Order was sent and arrived promptly.

An odd way of doing the sound clips
Strong text and great illustrations.The main reason for buying this book, though, should be the excellence of the calls and songs.My complaint is that for most of the 200 species, the book provides a very short clip (about 1 second) that is played four times.You can even hear the player cutting on and off after each repetition.So you may think you're hearing a phrase as the bird would phrase it, but really you are hearing repeated mini-clips.I'm guessing in real life the birds may be more likely to make each repetition slightly different.It is also important to know how long a bird pauses before repeating a phrase, but in this book all the pauses seem to have been equalized.I don't know much about how one produces a bird song book like this, but I can't help but think the book would be better if the clips were maybe seven seconds long and not short clips repeated several times.

Listen and Learn
It has been frustrating trying to use audio tapes to learn to identiy bird calls.Now I finally have a source to picture in my mind the bird while listening to the calls.My retention has improved markedly and I'm grateful for this very fine book. ... Read more

Product Description

This book is the first detailed biography of Ernst Mayr. He was an ‘architect’ of the Synthetic Theory of Evolution, and the greatest evolutionary biologist since Charles Darwin, influential historian and philosopher of biology, outstanding taxonomist and ornithologist, and naturalist. He is one of the most widely known biologists of the 20th century.

Mayr used the theories of natural selection and population thinking as theoretical models within the framework of historical biological studies. He suggested that various competing paradigms may exist side by side and more or less pronounced ’revolutions’ may occur in different fields from time to time. Changes of concepts have a much stronger effect on the development of biological sciences than the discovery of new facts. Mayr was the first to emphasize the role of biopopulations, thereby pointing out the basic difference between ’population thinking’ and typological essentialism. Population thinking takes into consideration the uniqueness of each individual and unlimited variation of populations which may lead to the development of new species. On the other hand, typologists assume that the unchanging essence of each species determines variation and fixed limits of variation preclude speciation from occurring except through saltation.

Customer Reviews (1)

A big disappointment
One would think a biography of a man as important and interesting as Ernst Mayr would make for riveting reading. It might, but this book is so badly written it is embarrassing. The author is clearly NOT a native speaker of English, so every paragraph contains at least one awkward usage that sounds like a bad translation from German. A very expensive and disappointing book. ... Read more

Product Description
Essential Ornithology provides the reader with a concise but comprehensive introduction to the biology of birds, one of the most widely studied taxonomic groups. The book starts with the controversial question of the dinosaur origins of birds and their subsequent evolution. Development, anatomy, and physiology are then discussed followed by chapters devoted to avian reproduction, migration, ecology, and conservation. Sections dealing with aspects of bird/human relationships and bird conservation give the book an applied context.

Drawing extensively upon the wider scientific literature, this engaging text places the results of classical studies of avian biology alongside the most recent scientific breakthroughs. Useful case studies are presented in a concise and engaging style with the student reader foremost in mind. Key points are highlighted and suggestions for guided reading and key references are included throughout. ... Read more

Product Description
An African proverb states that when a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library disappears. In that light, this book presents knowledge that is new or has not been readily available until now because it has not previously been captured or reported by indigenous people. Indigenous knowledge that embraces ornithology takes in whole social dimensions that are inter-linked with environmental ethos, conservation and management for sustainability. In contrast, western approaches have tended to reduce knowledge to elemental and material references. This book also looks at the significance of indigenous knowledge of birds and their cultural significance, and how these can assist in framing research methods of western scientists working in related areas.

As well as its knowledge base, this book provides practical advice for professionals in conservation and anthropology by demonstrating the relationship between mutual respect, local participation and the building of partnerships for the resolution of joint problems. It identifies techniques that can be transferred to different regions, environments and collections, as well as practices suitable for investigation, adaptation and improvement of knowledge exchange and collection in ornithology. The authors take anthropologists and biologists who have been trained in, and largely continue to practice from, a western reductionist approach, along another path one that presents ornithological knowledge from alternative perspectives, which can enrich the more common approaches to ecological and other studies as well as management for conservation. ... Read more

Product Description
This remarkably beautiful volume gathers together a selection of the most important and vibrant ornithological art from London’s Natural History Museum. Birds tells the remarkable story of the development of ornithological art through the ages, from the earliest images of birds in the Renaissance, through the Age of Exploration, to the present day.Brilliantly reproduced original artworks by such renowned artists as Audubon, Gould, MacGillivray, Thorburn, and Wolfe are included.
The lively accompanying text tells the story of how ornithological art grew out of the naturalistic tradition of European painting to become a genre on its own, where the artist’s focus on aesthetic appeal was married to the scientist’s need for precision and detail.
Many of the works reproduced in this volume have never before been published.The detailed text interweaves science, art history, biography, exploration, and travel to paint a vast and wondrous picture of the bygone world of artist-scientists, exotic birds, and faraway lands.It makes a perfect gift for anyone who loves fine prints and drawings or has an interest in nature or birding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A beautiful reference book
I am a painter of murals and decorative finishes. For the past 20 years, we've been collecting reference for our work. I have a lot of bird books, butthis has material I've never seen. I have not read the text so I can't comment on it, but the reproductions are wonderful and varied. A worthwhile addition to your library of you love birds.

Gorgeous Book
I fell in love with this book at a little French boutique in Savannah, GA and was thrilled to have found it on Amazon. The images as well as the written portions of this book are wonderfully created.

One of the Best Books in my Collection
This book is one of the best in my collection!It is lavishly illustrated, reflecting the works of all the major illustrators for the past (almost) 500 years. If you are a fan of the wonderfully idiosyncratic artistry of the early illustrators, this book, with its hundreds of color reproductions, is the book for you.

Pen and Ink Art review
A perfect book for pen and ink art students, wonderful diverse styles over the years to copy.

Birds:The Art of Ornithology
I love this beautiful book!The collection of ornithological art is outstanding.I think this book is exquisite and a wonderful addition to any library. ... Read more

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Product Description
Call it Bird University. This gloriously illustrated volume provides comprehensive college-level information about birds and their environments in a style accessible to nonscientists and teachers the world over.

The Handbook of Bird Biology covers all major topics, from anatomy and physiology to ecology, behavior, and conservation biology. One full chapter addresses vocal communication and is accompanied by a CD of bird vocalizations. Produced by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's world-renowned Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds, the CD illustrates key elements of bioacoustics.

The book's text was written by 12 leading ornithologists and illustrated by respected photographers and acclaimed artist John Schmitt. It includes an extensive glossary and index, a list of the common and scientific names of all birds mentioned in the text, author profiles, suggested readings following each chapter, and a complete reference section.

The Handbook serves as the backbone of the Lab's popular Home Study Course in Bird Biology, a self-paced course that can be taken from anywhere in the world, by anyone with a serious interest in birds who would like guidance from professional ornithologists.

• Comprehensive and readable guide covering all major topics
• Free CD of bird vocalizations enclosed
• Extensive glossary and index
• List of all common and scientific names
• Suggested readings
• Complete reference section
• Companion to the Lab of Ornithology's popular home study education program

Customer Reviews (5)

Buy at Cornell site
This is a fabulous, definitive, and easy to read text.Don't buy it through these sellers, what are they thinking when they ask over $200?It is available online directly from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for $99.50.

Remarkable compendium of bird biology
The most complete and well illustrated book on bird biology that I have ever seen! The quality of the binding, material, and presentation makes this hefty dictionary sized book a great coffee table curiosity and conversation starter!

Good book
This is a good compendium of ornithology. It contains general information on bird biology, however it is to general for university teaching. Probably it should be used together with Gill's "Ornithology".

Simply Wonderful
The folks at Cornell have done it again. This is a huge book, packed full of information, but it is also a joy to read.Even though it supplies plenty of the "encyclopedic" material, it's a bit reminiscent of David Attenborough's "Life of Birds" DVD, in that it highlight some of the "gee-whiz" aspects of birds, such as egg mimicry, artistic bower construction, lymphatic penises in ducks, and so forth. There was a surprising section on nocturnal birding by ear, which I had never seen addressed. They seem to have covered every topic and then some.
If you have only a casual interest in birds, this book may be overkill, but if you are a birder or ornithology student I'm sure you'll enjoy deepening your appreciation and understanding of birds with the help of this book.

A tour de force
I recently purchased the new "Handbook of Bird Biology" (hereafter, HBB) and would like to share my views of it.Published by Princeton University Press, this massive volume is a tour de force from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.I have taught university classes in ornithology for the past several years using Gill's "Ornithology" and Proctor & Lynch's "Manual of Ornithology" (both outstanding books), so I spent some time comparing HBB to these works.HBB consistently exceeded my expectations.It routinely (although not invariably) provided more details than Gill or Proctor & Lynch, and it also included topics that the other books omit.These topics (e.g. selecting binoculars, FAQs about backyard bird feeders) were typically geared more towards birding than towards classroom-based ornithology.Indeed, this was one of the main objectives of the Cornell Lab in compiling this book, to appeal to birders and not simply to students of ornithology.For example, the book includes a CD of various bird sounds (nothing that will replace proper "birding by ear" song/call guides, but useful for illustrative purposes).However, HBB is not light reading in any sense of the word.Weighing in at nearly seven pounds, it represents the proverbial "too much information" for casual birders.In addition, the book is costly (approximately $95 + tax, but that is still cheaper than purchasing even used copies of both Gill and Proctor & Lynch).It is not without its copy-editing flaws (particularly in figure captions).Its figures are solely in black-and-white (a major disappointment for me--try explaining structural colors without color examples), and many figures are taken directly from Gill or Proctor & Lynch (appropriately credited).The copy I bought (through Amazona) was missing its sound CD (sent to me by Princeton U.P. after I alerted them).The chapters are written by various authors, with little stylistic continuity (e.g. active voice in some chapters, passive in others).

These negatives do not take the luster off of a highly recommended book.If you are interested in birds but do not own an ornithology textbook, you really owe it to yourself to invest in one.I will likely require HBB instead of Gill and Proctor & Lynch in my future ornithology classes.The "Handbook of Bird Biology" will be a single source for valuable and fascinating information for years to come.
... Read more

Product Description
This breathtaking collection of important and beautiful ornithological art from London’s Natural History Museum traces its development from the Renaissance through the scientific approach favored in the Age of Exploration. Included are brilliantly reproduced artworks by the world’s great naturalists and scientists such as Audubon and Humboldt, along with the legion of Victorian explorers who catalogued the world’s avifauna before photography finally prevailed as the primary means of recording the natural world. The lively and informative text tells how ornithological art grew out of the naturalistic tradition of European painting to become a genre of its own where the artist’s focus on aesthetics was married to the scientist’s need for precision and detail. Weaving together science, art history, biography, and travel, it paints a wondrous picture of a bygone world of artist-scientists, exotic birds, and faraway lands, making it truly the perfect gift for anyone who loves vintage prints and drawings or has an interest in nature or birding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Birds: Mini Edition: The Art of Ornithology
The original, full sized version of this book, while more expensive, is well worth the additional money as this is a stunningly beautiful book on ornithological illustration throughout the ages. It was the smaller version--which I first bought--prompted me to go out and buy the full-sized edition. That said, the smaller version does make a nice gift item as Elphick assembled a fine work--whatever the size! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

ornithology made simple
Faaborg's textbook for ornithology was published in 1988.It is composed of 16 chapters for a total of 470 pages, and deals with topics from an introductory chapter to conservation and management.A the time of its publication, nothing original had been published since Pettingill's classic ornithology texts (>25 yr old) and it sure was a significant change from the previous approach.

The subtitle of the book, "an ecological approach" informs the reader about the scope of the contents.Although morphological, anatomical, and physiological chapters are included (co-authored by S. Chaplin), these are not the main emphasis of this volume, but a more organismal-to-community ecology type of book, and being Faaborg direct offspring of the MacArthurian paradigm this was expected.

Students using this book in undergraduate ornithology courses will find an easy to digest narrative, abundant and easily understandable figures and tables, and a body of information with direct applications to conservation and management, besides its children-proof binding.When compared to similar recent ornithology books (e.g. F. Gill's) it is pretty obvious the professional ornithologist will chose the more in-depth, recent and abundantly researched volume of the later, but for people looking for an excellent introductory level ornithology textbook the objectives of the author are more than fulfilled.

It is a shame it can be so expensive in the used book market and that the author and publisher haven't put produced a second edition, perhaps with a lower-priced paperback section. ... Read more

Product Description

In Discovering Birds, Paul Lawrence Farber rejects the view that eighteenth-century natural history disappeared with the rise of nineteenth-century biology. In this penetrating case study of the history of ornithology, Farber demonstrates interesting continuities: as natural history evolved into individual sciences (botany, geology, and zoology) and specialties (entomology and ichthyology), the study of birds emerged as a distinct scientific discipline that remained observational and taxonomic. Ornithologists continued to see one of their primary tasks as classification, and they found no need to alter their approach.

Their efforts were greatly aided at the end of the eighteenth century as colonization and exploration brought new dataa plethora of exotic and previously unknown birds. By the mid-nineteenth century, ornithology had become a scientific discipline with international experts, a large empirical base, and a rigorous methodology of watching and cataloging.

Product Description

Product Description
Birding can become an addiction. It starts when you hang a bird feeder in the backyard. Then you buy a bird book to identify the birds you see. Then, before you know it, you're keeping a life list and traveling the region, the country, perhaps even the world to catch glimpses of rare birds. Marjorie Adams's birding passion progressed through all these stages and continues today in her tenth decade. In this engaging and informative book, she looks back at her evolution into a full-fledged birder and the concurrent growth of the sport of birding, to which she contributed significantly as a founder of the American Birding Association, a newspaper columnist on birding, and a teacher and producer of educational wildlife films with her husband and lifelong birding partner, "Red" Adams. As one who was there from the beginning, Marjorie Adams is uniquely qualified to recount the astonishing rise of birding to a major pastime and recreational industry. She describes the founding of the American Birding Association and profiles its first director, James A. Tucker. She vividly recalls many of her and Red's birding adventures, from southern Canada to Mexico, as well as their encounters with a host of highly regarded birders, including Roger Tory Peterson, Pete Dunne, Victor Emmanuel, Charles Hartshorne, and Roy Bedichek. She also explains how her and Red's love for birds led them to become conservation activists and how they produced an award-winning film on the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. Offering an important chapter in the story of birding in Texas and the United States, this book establishes Marjorie and Red Adams's rightful place among the leading Texas naturalists of recent decades. ... Read more

Product Description
Salim Ali's association with the Bombay Natural History Society started when as a young child intrigued by the patch of yellow on the throat of a sparrow he had shot with his airgun, someone suggested he visit the Society to seek an explanation.The title of this commemorative volume, Petronia, is the generic name of the yellow-throated sparrow which started Salim Ali on his ornithological quest. It is comprised of articles on ornithology by Salam Ali's friends, colleagues, and students. ... Read more

Product Description
In a small nest in a large oak tree, the drama begins. A young American Robin breaks open his shell and emerges into a world that will provide the warmth of sunny days and the life-threatening chill of cold, rainy nights; the satisfaction of a full stomach and the danger of sudden predator attacks; and the chance to mature into an adult robin who'll begin the cycle of life all over again come next spring. In The Seasons of the Robin, Don Grussing tells the uncommon life story of one of the most common birds, the North American Robin. Written as fiction to capture the high drama that goes on unnoticed right outside our windows, the book follows a young male robin through the first year of life. From his perspective, we experience many common episodes of a bird's life--struggling to get out of the egg; awkwardly attempting to master flight; learning to avoid predators; migrating for the first time; returning home; establishing a territory; finding a mate; and beginning the cycle again. This creative approach of presenting natural history through a fictional, yet factually based, story allows us to experience the spine-tingling, nerve-wracking, adrenaline-flowing excitement that is so much a part of the life of every wild thing. As Don Grussing concludes in his preface, "Once you experience the world through a robin's eyes, I hope you'll look at every wild thing with new appreciation and respect for what they accomplish by living." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Interesting and Wondrouos
I downloaded this book onto my Kindle so I had something to read on a cross-country flight I was taking.Little did I know I would end up absolutely enthralled."The Seasons of the Robin" by Don Grussing, although written in prose, translates mentally into poetry.The language used to convey the life of "Young Robin" is simple but incredibly effective in conveying the way a robin might think and feel.As someone who has loved birds from the moment of my first parakeet at age 5 to a later-in-life newly developed passion for birding, this book gave me a profound appreciation for the "being" of a bird.Although based in science, this is life as experienced by the bird.I don't know how Grussing did it, but he cracks open our own shell of analysis and objectivity to enable us to feel at one with this wondrous creature.While robins are pretty common birds around here, I will never look at one in the same way again.Each robin I see now is a precious being, a particular individual, and I am in awe of the challenges these beautiful birds will have to face to make it through the seasons to return and start the cycle of life anew. I would like to thank the author for writing a book of such beauty that it transformed my way of looking at the world.I would strongly recommend this book not only for adults but also younger readers (middle school and above) as a way to help them appreciate the beauty of nature and the animals around them.

The 'robin's eye' perspective is outstanding, here
The Seasons of the Robin appeared last Fall, but deserves ongoing recommendation as an outstanding ornithology book perfect for any college-level library strong in the subject. It begins with a young American robin breaking his shell and emerging into a world and reads like the classic 'One Day at Teton Marsh' in following the robin's life cycle. The 'robin's eye' perspective is outstanding, here.

Intimate Insights on a Wonderful Bird
While not the most literary of reads, I ended up wildly enthusiastic about this novel thanks to the profound appreciation it awakened in me as to what it really takes for a bird to survive. I haven't looked at robins (or any bird) the same way since. If you love watching birds in action and contemplating their lives, this closely observed story of a year in one robin's life will bring considerable pleasure and insight.

This book will change how you look at birds forever...
The Seasons of the Robin is a wonderful, insightful account of the first year in a young birds' life. Written from the Robin's point of view, the reader experiences all the joys and dangers the bird faces from the moment he hatches, through the fledgling stage, the perils of migration and surviving the winter and returning to the breeding grounds as a first year adult seeking a mate and territory of his own.The author avoids anthropomorphism, revealing the sharp intelligence, quick learning and adaptability of the Robin very well.
Anyone who has ever wanted to more deeply understand the lives of familiar birds will find this book incredibly enjoyable and enlightening.As a birdwatcher and nature lover I now have a whole new depth of understanding of the animals I observe. I know a lot about birds, but after reading this book, I feel that I truly understand how it is to be one. But even if you are not a back yard birdwatcher or have never given much thought to the birds in your back yard and city parks, you will still enjoy this book and common birds will never be over looked again! My respect and admiration for all living things is taken to a new level after reading this book, which I enjoyed so much that after finishing it I immediately started over and read the whole book again. Beautifully written, this is a classic, which I will cherish and enjoy over and over for many years to come.
... Read more

Product Description
In the early 1900s ornithologist Witmer Stone spent years observing the bird life in & around Cape May, NJ. His classic descriptions of some 300 species, first published in 1937 by the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, are republished here for the first time in one volume. Where the birds live, their habits & behavior, physical appearance, what they eat, when they migrate, & how population statuses have shifted -- all these aspects of the birds are described in vivid, engaging detail. "Everyone interested in the distribution & the conservation of birds, whether he lives in the Garden State or elsewhere, will find Dr. Stone's writings worth study & reflection." A treasure trove for any birder! Illustrated facsimile edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

W. Stone's Study Still Fascinating After All These Years
First published by the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club in 1937, "Bird Studies at Old Cape May" is ornithologist Witmer Stone's exhaustive study of the bird life in Cape May County and along the New Jersey coast between 1920 and 1930. 374 species of bird aredescribed: 318 from Cape May County, primarily from the area stretching from the town of Cape May along the shore to Cape May Point, and 56 species from further north along the New Jersey coast. The book opens with several introductions from previous publications, including one written by Roger Tory Peterson for the 1964 edition. The introductions are followed by short chapters describing the bird life in different geographic areas of Cape May County -sea, meadows, islands,woodland, farmland- as well as history of previous bird life at the Cape, descriptions of bird migrations, and summaries of bird occurrences by month. The bulk of the book consists of descriptions of each of the 374 species observed. For each species, there is a physical description, information on the occurrence and history of the bird in this region, and stories of Stone's personal experiences with the species as well as those of other birders of his acquaintance. Some entries are less than a page in length, while others are up to 12 pages, but the average length for each species is a few pages. There are short introductory essays before the sections on ducks, hawks, and shore birds.

This is an absolutely fascinating study of the birds of the New Jersey shore. Bird enthusiasts who have been to Cape May will find engaging and still relevant descriptions of birds which continue to be found there. And it is most interesting to learn the history of these species before much of Cape May's wetlands were filled in, along with the histories of some species which are no longer found in the area. Reading "Bird Studies at Old Cape May" 65 years after its original publication, it is in some ways more informative than it was in 1937. It allows us to observe, for even longer than Witmer Stone did, how and why Cape May changed and its bird population along with it. 941 pages is a lot of information to absorb, but I've found it a very pleasant book to pick up now and then and read the entries for a few species at a time. The order of the book is a mystery to me, but there is an index. ... Read more

Product Description
The Bird Songs Anthology combines the most stunning species from Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song and Bird Songs from Around the World into a unique special edition.In collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's aclaimed Macauley Library, The Bird Songs Anthology showcases the sounds of 100 North American birds and 100 species found in Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Bird biologist and author Les Beletsky's consice, authoritative accounts detail species' characteristic habits, emphasizing their distinct vocalizations. Crisp, vibrant illustrations of each bird and lavishly printed habitatscenes at the beginning of each chapter complete this remarkable volume.Containing the latest scientific information, gorgeous original illustrations, and rare songs from the most captivating birds on earth. The Bird Songs Anthology is a treasury for birders all over the globe ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

amusing to the cats, useless to the humans
I'm glad the above reviewer liked the book, but I couldn't disagree more. Since it was remaindered at Borders for $10, I bought one. I live in a natural area on the MD/PA border surrounded by dozens species of birds and have always wanted to identify them vocally. Not with this! If you check the contents, you'll see that that not many common species appear though plenty of parrots and so on (and I'm talking about the American section here). Not only that, but one short vocalization is given for each when the reality is a LOT more complex than that. The descriptive information on the species is very superficial. It was not intended for serious birders, I hope.

I went on to purchase the "Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds with 587 DVD Birdsongs". In addition to having a much larger selection of vocalizations it is a very good field guide as well, in the Peterson tradition. So you wouldn't really need another book. It cost $20! The project of identifying birds by listening to the songs is not easy, it turns out. Fieldwork would seem to be the only sure way to success.

The upside is that pushing the button and playing the songs really pricks up the cats' ears and makes them look around. But I didn't get $10 worth of kicks from that, even.

Becoming a birder
So you want to become a birder? In my case I would like to join my mother and sister in their, to me, amazing store of knowledge about birds and their songs. One day the three of us were sitting on my patio, overlooking the bayou when I heard a particular bird. "That's a red-headed woodpecker." They wanted to know, How do you know? "Because a pair live in that tree and I see them all the time." Sure enough, they saw the male. I had heard the song of a bird they didn't know and a fairly common one. That is the point of birding--to see and learn a new bird.

"The Bird Songs Anthology" is an excellent way to learn to recognize the physical description and the songs of 200 birds. These songs came from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which maintains over 160,000 natural sounds of birds, including sixty-seven percent of the world's birds.

Compiled into this book are sounds of birds from six of seven continents (not enough species in Antartica), with major representative birds from each continent and then those that are "especially striking, attractive, or rare" (8). In addition to teaching birders, the book also encourages and promotes conservation of natural habitats. By teaching sight and sound of each bird, the book is promoting familiarity. With familiarity comes the need to protect and so on.

North America is the first continent shown and the edges of the pages are color-coded red. As you read the left page of description, habitat, migration, song type, you can study the images of male and female on the right. There is a strip of mechanism to the far right and is an extension of the book format. Press the middle button and listen to the song, which plays twice. The songs do not advance unless you press the button.

The first bird is the Common Loon. Oh my, what a haunting melody. Wah, whooooooooooooUhhh. Wah, whooooooooUhhhhh. The first time I went through the book, my three-year-old niece operated the mechanism and was fascinated with the bird songs, listening to half before her attention went elsewhere. Note: some of the birds have just one page each.

The second bird is the Horned Grebe. What if I close the book at this point and leave it? Where will I be when I return? The digital face goes blank if left unattended and automatically returns to zero. Each bird is numbered on the left page, so you can always locate the number on the digital face by pressing another button to go up or down.

At some point something was accidentally placed on top of the button, causing the battery to die. I thought, Uh oh, how will I ever match the bird with the song? That is when I discovered how the unit works. It starts back with one, that is, the correct "one." I suppose that is why the book is called a Collector's Edition.

Listening to these songs and studying the corresponding birds is a relaxing pastime, one to pursue in one's leisure and as many birds as the armchair birder chooses. ... Read more

Product Description
Harriers are a charismatic group of birds of prey with a worldwide distribution that have long fascinated bird watchers and scientists.Here for the first time the biology of the world's harriers is treated within one over, in readily accessible language. There are detailed comparisons of northern and southern species, descriptions of mating systems and population dynamics life histories, and insights into the selection pressures shaping the birds' life histories.The author addresses such questions as how females choose partners against their apparent self- interest, how they adjust to prevailing circumstances to produce the perfect clutch size, and what underlies variations in size dimorphism and copulation patterns.New information resulting from a DNA examination of the group reveals three new harrier species and allows construction of a new phylogeny of the harriers.The author's twin brother brings the book to life by fine original line drawings of these impressive birds.It will be a treat for all raptor biologists, amateur raptophiles, and behavioral ecologists interested in birds of prey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Harriers - a metaphor for human sexuality !
The intriguing sexual diversities & behavioral exploits of the 17 species of that beautiful Bird of Prey - The Harrier - are brought to life in rich detail.

This book unravels the Harriers complex world and provides a vivid insight into many of the amazingaspects of the life of this hugely diverse speciesfound across the worlds unfrozen continents. The parallels with our own lifestyle and sexual behavior leave you wanting more in this fascinating exploration. Curious ? Read on ..... ... Read more