Bird Studies at Old Cape May: An Ornithology of Coastal New Jersey (2 Volumes) [Paperback]

Witmer Stone (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 484 pages
• Publisher: Dover Pubns (June 1965)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486213862
• ISBN-13: 978-0486213866
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,506,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars The following text is from the back cover:, June 11, 2005

By 

Michael P. Gage - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bird Studies at Old Cape May: An Ornithology of Coastal New Jersey (2 Volumes) (Paperback)

The Jersey shore area around Cape May has long been a favorite retreat tool nature lovers and birdwatchers, and many ornithological studies have emerged from work done in this locale. By far the most complete and delightful of these works is Witmer Stone's "Bird Studies at Old Cape May." Not merely a tabulation of scientific data, this beautifully written two-volume study draws a vivid picture of the wild bird life at the Cape from 1920-37, capturing all of the charm of the region and of the subject without sacrificing scientific accuracy. This is one of the great classics in nature studies.

The first seventy pages present an overview of the subject. The birds of the Cape are grouped according to geographical location and are discussed as a unit (i.e. birds of the sea, birds of the town and farmland, etc.). Included also in this section are chapters relating the changing bird life of the Cape, migratory patterns of the birds, and a monthly summary of birds at the Cape, arranged in groups according to residency (regular and irregular residents, transients, visitants). The major portion of the work is devoted to detailed observations of the individual birds (over 350 different er are included). The author, one of the great field ornithologists of his time, tells what time of the year each bird can be found at Cape May; what part of the Cape it inhabits; describes the general appearance of the bird, with particular attention paid to color changes due to age, season, light and shadow, mating habits; discusses the behavioral characteristics and migratory activities of the individual species; and whatever else is needed for a full coverage.

This Set is handsomely illustrated with hundreds of photographs and line drawings of birds, nests, various nature Sites at the Cape. A new Introduction has been prepared especially for this Dover edition by Roger Tory Peterson, a noted ornithologist and editor of the `Field Guide" Series. Also new to this edition is a biographical sketch of the author by James A. G. Rehn and a List of Additional Species Recorded in Cape May County since the original publication of this book, compiled by -Ernest A. Choate. All ornithologists, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts will welcome the republication of this highly readable and immensely valuable study.

Unabridged republication of 1937 edition, with new Introduction by Roger Tory Peterson, biographical sketch of the author by James- A. G. Rehn, and List of Additional Species Recorded in Cape May County compiled by Ernest A. Choate. Author's preface. Bibliography. Index. Total of 277 line drawings and 121 plates including 229 photographs, 6 maps. Total of lii + of text .53/8 x 8½.

A DOVER EDITION DESIGNED FOR YEARS OF USE!
We have made every effort to make this the best book possible. Our paper is opaque, with minimal show-through; it will not discolor or become brittle with age. Pages are sewn in signatures, in the method traditionally used for the best books, and will not drop out, as often happens with paperbacks held together with glue. Books open flat for easy reference. The binding will not crack or split. This is a permanent book.