Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic Volume III: Waders to Gulls (Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, & North Am) [Hardcover]

Stanley Cramp (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, & North Am | Publication Date: February 10, 1983

This beautifully illustrated and authoritative eight-volume reference work is the most comprehensive guide to the birds of the Western Paleartic available. Taking into account the great advances made in ornithology since the publication of the seminal Handbook of British Birds (1941)--which for many years provided the foundation on which the field was built--the eight volumes together will contain descriptions of over 760 species of birds, of which about 600 are breeding species. Each breeding species is described in detail in sections devoted to field characteristics, habitat, distribution, mortality and longevity, population (with maps showing breeding and wintering areas), social pattern and behavior, breeding, food, voice, plumages, moults, measurements, weights, structure, and geographical variation. Regular migration and accidental species are treated under these headings where relevant. Each volume also contains specially-commissioned color plates of each species which show the full range of normal plumage together with more distant flight views. In addition, color plates of eggs, black-and-white illustrations, and many text-figures showing display postures, voice sonograms and melograms, and annual cycles, are included. All of these features combine to make the Handbook an indispensable reference work for both the professional scientist and the ever-growing body of amateur ornithologists.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

C. M. Perrins is Professor and Director of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, University of Oxford.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 913 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st printing edition. edition (February 10, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198575068
• ISBN-13: 978-0198575061
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.