Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic Volume VIII: Crows to Finches [Hardcover]

the late Stanley Cramp (Editor), C. M. Perrins (Editor), Duncan J. Brooks (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198546793 | ISBN-13: 978-0198546795 | Publication Date: October 6, 1994

This is eighth volume of an authoritative nine-volume reference work that covers birdlife in the whole of the Western Palearctic--including all of Europe as well as the Middle East to Turkey, Iran, and Jordan, and part of Africa. Part VIII: Crows to Finches contains 73 comprehensive species descriptions, with sections devoted to field characteristics, habitat, distribution, mortality, population, movements, food, social pattern and behavior, breeding, voice, plumages, moults, measurements, weights, structure, and geographical variation. Species include: Passeriformes, Covidae Crows and allies, Sturnidae Starlings, Passiderae Sparrows, Rock Sparrows, Snow Finches, Ploceidae Weavers and allies, Estrildidae Waxbills, Grassfinches, Mannikens, Vireonidae Vireos, Fringillidae Finches, and Carduelinae Typical Finches. Specially commissioned full-color plates show the full range of normal plumage together, eggs, and more distant flight views. Black-and-white illustrations and text-figures showing such features as display postures, voice sonograms and melograms, and annual cycles are included as well. With contributions from an internationally recognized team of experts, the Handbook is an indispensable work of reference, both for the professional scientist and for the ever-growing body of amateur ornithologists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'There is something both for the professional scientist and for the keen amateur eager to progress beyond the limitations of the generally available field guides... The colour plates by the cream of Britain's bird artists are of first-class quality.' David Jobbins, ornithologist and assistant editor of The THES (The Times Higher), November 4, 1994.

'The plates in these two volumes are among the best in the whole series ... it is a magnificent work.' David Tomlinson, New Scientist, December 1994

'it is a magnificent work' New Scientist

`To say it is a landmark in modern ornithology is probably an understatement. If you are serious about birdwatching but haven't yet got the set, then get it.' Hampshire Ornithological Society

`I wholeheartedly recommend these two volumes, with their wealth of information. even without the rest of the set. I cannot recommend it more highly than by stating that it is the most-used reference in the RSPB library.' Ian Dawson, World Birdwatch 17.1

`The quality of the plates is also outstanding, especially those of the finches by Hilary Burns and Chris Rose in Volume 8 and of the buntings by Trevor Boyer and Iam Lewington in volume 9.' Patrick Y. Bergkamp, University of Amsterdam, Bull. B.O.C. 1995 115 (1)

`this is a reference work, not something to dip into when you have an idle moment ... it is a magnificent work' David Tomlinson, New Scientist

`It is still my first reference point if I need to bone up on a species for professional or leisure interest. With the completion of the nine-volume work, it can only now function as it was intended: a truly complete reference guide.' Oran O'Sullivan, British Birds, vol. 88, no. 6, June 1995

About the Author

C. M. Perrins is Professor and Director of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, University of Oxford.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 956 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 6, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198546793
• ISBN-13: 978-0198546795
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,443,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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