Wildlife of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast [Paperback]

Charles Fergus (Author), Amelia Hansen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

Natural history narratives for more than 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians found in Pennsylvania and throughout the northeastern United States-written in an engaging, straightforward style.

An invaluable addition to any nature-lover's library. Each narrative offers a species description as well as up-to-date information on habitat, breeding behavior, feeding habits, biology, migration, and current population status, as well as the author's personal observations of the animal's life in the wild. Includes game and nongame mammals, birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl, snakes, turtles, frogs, toads, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Amelia Hansen has been a freelance illustrator since 1989, specializing in nature and natural history subjects. She lives near Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Charles Fergus has written numerous books about wildlife and the outdoors. He lives in the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811728994
• ISBN-13: 978-0811728997
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on the Topic . . ., October 23, 2000

By 

Robert Proctor (Pineknot Heaven, Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wildlife of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast (Paperback)

Fergus has done a remarkable job of nature writing--the prose is crisp and clear, and always informative. The book can be used as either a guide or just a good read; Fergus tells us how to see things we've never seen, and shows us how to look at what we already know with new eyes. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed. Bravo!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great information, but . . ., February 1, 2005

By 

minerva (Conway, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wildlife of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast (Paperback)

The information on animal habitat, food sources, and behavior is fascinating and unforgettable. Charles Fergus has forgotten more about area animal life than most people will ever know. This is one book that never leaves my nightstand, as it is organized well and is my "go-to book" for esoteric questions about mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania.

However, it is not a field guide. The black and white illustrations are a disappointment; very crudely drawn, and not every species has an illustration. Thus, it is difficult to compare closely-related species. For instance, Mr. Fergus describes 13 varieties of hawks, eagles, falcons,kestrels and merlins, yet there are only a meager 6 illustrations for the section. Perhaps in the next edition, Mr. Fergus will collaborate with a better illustrator and will include more, realistic, and (GASP) COLOR drawings or photos of these animals for his readers.

Despite the lack of illustrations, this book is a great reference material. Use it in conjunction with other field guides and you won't be disappointed in its scope.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good reference for naturalists, July 6, 2002

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Wildlife of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast (Paperback)

I wish a book like this had been available when I was growing up in Pennsylvania, when I was a Girl Scout and camp counselor, and when I started volunteering at nature centers. This supplement to traditional field guides is divided into sections by animal type (mammals, birds, etc.) and provides such details as eating habits, favored habitats, longevity, home regions, and population distribution. Fergus assembles factual information into a leisurely readable format and adds his own observations from time to time. Here you'll find out why that dead shrew is lying on the trail in front of you, or how much food a red-tail hawk eats in a day. Amelia Hansen's exquisite drawings depict many of the animals listed and are accurate enough and beautiful enough to be framed and hung on a wall. The only omission is a visual sample of each animal's tracks, but other books can help you in that area. I can't wait for the companion book on *trees* to be issued!