Customer Reviews

Wildlife of Pennsylvania: and the Northeast

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

Don't buy this for the pictures! This book is about information, not photos. But the presentation is fun. Its a bit personalized, but at the same time informative. You'll know what's moving around in the woods where you hike when your done, and you'll think of them as old friends. I like it, and hear myself quoting the guy every time some wild animal comes up: "Did you know that....?"